Physics

Instant, private, and free

Circular Motion Calculator.

Calculate uniform circular-motion speed, period, frequency, and centripetal acceleration.

On-device calculationNo signup
01

Set your values

Results update as you type.

Angular speed: 2 rad/s

Angular speed

0.000000rad/s
Centripetal acceleration: 8 m/s²

Centripetal acceleration

0.000000m/s²
Period: 3.141593 s

Period

0.000000s
Frequency: 0.31831 Hz

Frequency

0.000000Hz

Results update automatically as you type.

Use Cases

Physics homework and exam prep

Quickly verify calculations for uniform circular motion problems involving angular speed, period, frequency, and centripetal acceleration.

Example: Check your answer for a 2 m radius with a tangential speed of 4 m/s.

Engineering design of rotating parts

Estimate the required speed and acceleration for components like wheels, gears, or centrifuges to ensure they operate within safe limits.

Example: Determine the centripetal acceleration of a 0.5 m radius rotor spinning at 10 m/s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this circular motion calculator compute?
Given the radius (in meters) and tangential speed (in m/s), it calculates angular speed (rad/s), period (seconds), frequency (Hz), and centripetal acceleration (m/s²) for uniform circular motion.
How is angular speed related to tangential speed and radius?
Angular speed (ω) equals tangential speed (v) divided by radius (r): ω = v / r. The calculator uses this relationship to derive the other quantities.
What is the difference between period and frequency?
Period (T) is the time for one complete revolution, while frequency (f) is the number of revolutions per second. They are reciprocals: f = 1/T. The calculator provides both.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Ensure the radius is in meters and the tangential speed is in meters per second to get results in standard SI units.
  • If you know the period or frequency instead, you can derive the tangential speed using v = 2πr/T or v = 2πrf, then use this calculator.
  • Remember that centripetal acceleration is always directed toward the center of the circle, even though the speed is constant.
  • For a given radius, increasing tangential speed increases angular speed and centripetal acceleration quadratically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using diameter instead of radius – always use the distance from the center to the object.
  • Confusing angular speed (rad/s) with frequency (Hz) – they differ by a factor of 2π.
  • Forgetting to convert units (e.g., cm to m) before entering values, which leads to incorrect results.

Last updated: August 13, 2026