What is gravitational potential energy?

Gravitational potential energy is the energy an object has due to its height in a gravitational field, given by PE = m × g × h. With mass in kilograms, gravity in m/s², and height in metres, the result is in joules.

What value should I use for gravity?

Earth's standard gravity is 9.80665 m/s². For the Moon use about 1.62 m/s² and for Mars about 3.72 m/s². You can edit the gravity field directly.

How do I find the height from a known energy?

Rearrange to h = PE ÷ (m × g). Choose "height" in the tool, enter the energy, mass and gravity, and it returns the height in metres.

How do I solve for mass?

Use m = PE ÷ (g × h). Select "mass", enter the energy, gravity and height, and the calculator returns the mass in kilograms.

What units does the calculator use?

Mass in kilograms, gravity in metres per second squared, height in metres, and energy in joules. Keeping these SI units gives a result directly in joules without conversion.

Does the reference point for height matter?

Yes. Potential energy is always measured relative to a chosen zero height, usually the ground or floor. The h you enter is the height above that reference, and the PE is the energy relative to it.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No. Everything is computed locally in your browser with no uploads.

Potential Energy Calculator

Gravitational potential energy calculator

Gravitational potential energy is the stored energy of an object raised to a height — the energy it would release if it fell. It is given by PE = m × g × h and measured in joules. This tool rearranges the formula so you can solve for potential energy, mass, or height, with an editable gravity value for other planets, making it useful for physics homework and engineering checks.

How it works

The tool solves whichever quantity you leave unknown from the same relationship:

PE = m × g × h          (joules)
m  = PE ÷ (g × h)       (kilograms)
h  = PE ÷ (m × g)       (metres)

Gravity g defaults to Earth’s standard 9.80665 m/s² but is editable, so you can model the Moon (≈1.62), Mars (≈3.72) or any other body.

Example

A 5 kg object raised 4 m on Earth (g = 9.80665):

PE = 5 × 9.80665 × 4 = 196.13 J

Solving the other way — 196.13 J with the same mass and gravity gives back a height of 4 m.

Mass	Height	g (m/s²)	PE (J)
5 kg	4 m	9.80665	196.13
2 kg	10 m	9.80665	196.13
5 kg	4 m	1.62 (Moon)	32.40

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