What angle should I enter?

Enter the angle between the force vector and the displacement or velocity direction.

Can work be negative?

Yes. Work is negative when the force component points opposite the displacement.

The UI uses mechanical horsepower, about 745.7 watts, which matches common U.S. usage.

Calculate mechanical work, average power, force-velocity power and efficiency with joules, watts, kW, hp and kWh.

Calculation mode

Work from forcePower from timePower from forceEfficiency

Force, N

Displacement, m

Angle, °

Work

1,000 J

In kJ

1 kJ

Cosine

Sign

positive

force adds energy

Explanation

A force of 100 N acts through 10 m at 0.00e+0°.

Work done: 1,000 J.

work, J versus displacement, m

Live English results for this topic focus on mechanical work from force and displacement, often with an angle, plus power from work and time.

W = F d cos θ

W is work, F force, d displacement and theta the angle between them.

P = \frac{W}{t}

P is average power over time t.

P = F v cos θ

Instantaneous mechanical power from force and velocity.

Scope

This page is for mechanical work and power. Electrical power from voltage and current belongs on the circuit power or Ohm's law calculators.

Calculations are based on the listed reference sources. Links open in a new tab.

Updated: June 2, 2026

Find acceleration from velocity and time, force and mass, or circular motion radius and speed.

Calculate speed, distance or time from two known values with metric, imperial and nautical units.

Convert joules to kilowatt-hours for electricity bills, appliance energy consumption, batteries, and one kilowatt for one hour calculations.