Physics

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Electric Potential Calculator.

Calculate the potential of a point charge at a specified distance.

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Point charge

Distance

Electric potential

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Use Cases

Physics homework and exam prep

Quickly verify your manual calculations for electric potential problems involving point charges, saving time and reducing errors.

Example: Calculate the potential at 0.5 m from a 2 µC charge.

Electrostatics lab work

Estimate the potential near a charged sphere or point charge to plan experiments or check measurements.

Example: Determine the potential at 10 cm from a 5 nC charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is electric potential?: Electric potential at a point is the work done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to that point, without acceleration. It is measured in volts (V).
How do I use this calculator?: Enter the point charge in coulombs (C) and the distance from the charge in meters (m). The calculator will compute the electric potential using the formula V = kQ/r, where k is Coulomb's constant.
What units are used for the result?: The result is given in volts (V), which is the standard unit for electric potential. The calculator uses the input units of coulombs and meters.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the charge is in coulombs (C). If you have microcoulombs (µC), multiply by 1e-6.
Distance must be in meters (m). Convert centimeters to meters by dividing by 100.
The potential is a scalar quantity, so it can be positive or negative depending on the sign of the charge.
For multiple charges, calculate the potential from each and add them algebraically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: using centimeters instead of meters, or microcoulombs instead of coulombs, leads to incorrect results.
Using the formula for electric field (E = kQ/r²) instead of potential (V = kQ/r).
Ignoring the sign of the charge: a negative charge produces a negative potential.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Use Cases

Physics homework and exam prep

Quickly verify your manual calculations for electric potential problems involving point charges, saving time and reducing errors.

Example: Calculate the potential at 0.5 m from a 2 µC charge.

Electrostatics lab work

Estimate the potential near a charged sphere or point charge to plan experiments or check measurements.

Example: Determine the potential at 10 cm from a 5 nC charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is electric potential?

Electric potential at a point is the work done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to that point, without acceleration. It is measured in volts (V).

How do I use this calculator?

Enter the point charge in coulombs (C) and the distance from the charge in meters (m). The calculator will compute the electric potential using the formula V = kQ/r, where k is Coulomb's constant.

What units are used for the result?

The result is given in volts (V), which is the standard unit for electric potential. The calculator uses the input units of coulombs and meters.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the charge is in coulombs (C). If you have microcoulombs (µC), multiply by 1e-6.
Distance must be in meters (m). Convert centimeters to meters by dividing by 100.
The potential is a scalar quantity, so it can be positive or negative depending on the sign of the charge.
For multiple charges, calculate the potential from each and add them algebraically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: using centimeters instead of meters, or microcoulombs instead of coulombs, leads to incorrect results.
Using the formula for electric field (E = kQ/r²) instead of potential (V = kQ/r).
Ignoring the sign of the charge: a negative charge produces a negative potential.

Use Cases

Physics homework and exam prep

Quickly verify your manual calculations for electric potential problems involving point charges, saving time and reducing errors.

Example: Calculate the potential at 0.5 m from a 2 µC charge.

Electrostatics lab work

Estimate the potential near a charged sphere or point charge to plan experiments or check measurements.

Example: Determine the potential at 10 cm from a 5 nC charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is electric potential?

Electric potential at a point is the work done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to that point, without acceleration. It is measured in volts (V).

How do I use this calculator?

Enter the point charge in coulombs (C) and the distance from the charge in meters (m). The calculator will compute the electric potential using the formula V = kQ/r, where k is Coulomb's constant.

What units are used for the result?

The result is given in volts (V), which is the standard unit for electric potential. The calculator uses the input units of coulombs and meters.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the charge is in coulombs (C). If you have microcoulombs (µC), multiply by 1e-6.
Distance must be in meters (m). Convert centimeters to meters by dividing by 100.
The potential is a scalar quantity, so it can be positive or negative depending on the sign of the charge.
For multiple charges, calculate the potential from each and add them algebraically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to convert units: using centimeters instead of meters, or microcoulombs instead of coulombs, leads to incorrect results.
Using the formula for electric field (E = kQ/r²) instead of potential (V = kQ/r).
Ignoring the sign of the charge: a negative charge produces a negative potential.