Force Calculator
Calculate force from mass and acceleration using F = ma.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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This calculator applies Newton's second law of motion to find the net force acting on an object.
- Enter the mass of the object in kilograms.
- Enter the acceleration in meters per second squared. For gravitational force at Earth's surface, use 9.81.
- Read the result. The force appears instantly in Newtons (N).
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About Force (F = ma)
Force is a push or pull on an object that causes it to change velocity. Newton's second law states that the net force on an object equals its mass multiplied by its acceleration. One Newton is the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass by 1 m/s2. Forces are vectors, meaning they have both magnitude and direction. Common forces include gravity, friction, tension, and the normal force. This calculator computes the magnitude of the net force from the inputs you provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Newton?
A Newton (N) is the SI unit of force. It equals the force required to accelerate a 1 kilogram mass by 1 meter per second squared. One Newton is roughly the weight of a small apple.
How is force related to weight?
Weight is the force of gravity on an object. It equals mass times gravitational acceleration (W = mg). On Earth, g is about 9.81 m/s2, so a 70 kg person weighs about 686.7 N.
What if multiple forces act on an object?
The net force is the vector sum of all individual forces. If forces act in opposite directions, they partially cancel out. This calculator finds the force for a single mass-acceleration pair. For multiple forces, you would need to resolve them into components first.