Physics

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Work and Power Calculator.

Calculate constant-force work and average power over a duration.

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Set your values

Results update as you type.

Work: 200 J

Work

0.000000J
Average power: 50 W

Average power

0.000000W

Results update automatically as you type.

Use Cases

Physics Homework and Problem Solving

Quickly compute work and power for mechanics problems involving constant forces, such as pushing objects or lifting weights at an angle.

Example: Calculate work done when a 50 N force moves an object 10 m at a 30° angle.

Engineering and Design Calculations

Estimate the work and power requirements for simple mechanical systems, like conveyor belts or winches, to ensure adequate motor power.

Example: Determine average power needed to move a load over a set distance in a given time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is work calculated in this calculator?
Work is calculated as the product of the force component along the displacement and the displacement magnitude. Specifically, work = force × displacement × cosine(angle). The angle is the included angle between the force and displacement vectors.
What does the included angle represent?
The included angle is the angle between the direction of the applied force and the direction of the displacement. It is measured in degrees. For example, if force is applied in the same direction as displacement, the angle is 0°.
How is average power determined?
Average power is the total work done divided by the duration over which the work is performed. It is calculated as work divided by time, giving the rate of energy transfer in watts.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

  • Ensure the angle is the angle between the force and displacement vectors, not the angle of the surface.
  • Use consistent units: force in newtons, displacement in meters, time in seconds to get work in joules and power in watts.
  • If the force is perpendicular to displacement (90°), work is zero; check if that matches your scenario.
  • For average power, use the total duration over which the work is done, not just the time of force application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to convert the angle to degrees if your calculator is in radians mode.
  • Using the angle between the force and the horizontal instead of the angle between force and displacement.
  • Confusing work with power: work is energy transferred, power is work per unit time.

Last updated: August 13, 2026