Weight Calculator
Calculate weight from mass under different gravitational environments. Find out how much objects would weigh on the Moon, Mars, or other planets.
Input Parameters
Enter values and click 'Calculate' to see results
About Weight Calculation
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is the product of mass and gravitational acceleration. While mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass.
Weight is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. On Earth, weight always points toward the center of the planet. The SI unit of weight is the Newton (N).
It's important to distinguish between mass and weight. Mass is a fundamental property of matter and remains constant regardless of location. Weight, however, varies depending on the gravitational field. For example, an astronaut's mass remains the same on Earth and the Moon, but their weight on the Moon is only about 1/6 of their weight on Earth due to the Moon's weaker gravitational field.
For example, a person with a mass of 70 kg has a weight of approximately 686.5 newtons on Earth, but would only weigh about 113.4 newtons on the Moon.
The weight of an object is calculated using the following formula:
Weight Formula
$W = m \ imes g$
Where W is the weight (in newtons, N), m is the mass (in kilograms, kg), and g is the gravitational acceleration (in meters per second squared, m/s²).
Gravitational Acceleration on Different Celestial Bodies
The gravitational acceleration varies across different celestial bodies, affecting the weight of objects:
| Celestial Body | Gravitational Acceleration (m/s²) | Relative to Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Earth | 9.807 m/s² | 1.0 |
| Moon | 1.62 m/s² | 0.166 |
| Mars | 3.711 m/s² | 0.378 |
| Jupiter | 24.79 m/s² | 2.528 |
| Venus | 8.87 m/s² | 0.904 |
| Mercury | 3.7 m/s² | 0.377 |
Unit Conversion
The following conversions are useful when working with weight and mass units:
Mass Units Conversion
- 1 kg = 1000 g
- 1 kg ≈ 2.20462 lb
- 1 ton = 1000 kg
- 1 lb ≈ 0.453592 kg
- 1 lb = 16 oz
Force (Weight) Units Conversion
- 1 N = 0.001 kN = 0.224809 lbf = 0.101972 kp = 100,000 dyn
- 1 kN = 1000 N = 224.809 lbf = 101.972 kp = 100,000,000 dyn
- 1 lbf ≈ 4.44822 N = 0.00444822 kN = 0.453592 kp = 444,822 dyn
- 1 kp ≈ 9.80665 N = 0.00980665 kN = 2.20462 lbf = 980,665 dyn
- 1 dyn = 0.00001 N = 0.00000001 kN = 0.00000225 lbf = 0.00000102 kp
Our weight calculator allows you to determine the weight of an object on different celestial bodies based on its mass. Here's how to use it:
- Enter the mass of the object in your preferred unit (kilograms, grams, pounds, tons, or ounces).
- Select the gravitational environment (Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, or Custom).
- If you selected 'Custom,' enter the specific gravitational acceleration value in m/s².
- Click the 'Calculate' button to view the results.
- The calculator will display the weight in various units including newtons, kilonewtons, pound-force, kiloponds, and dynes.
Tip: You can use the CSV export feature to save your results or the print button to create a hardcopy for reference.
Weight calculations are essential in various fields and everyday scenarios. Here are some common applications:
Engineering and Construction
Engineers need to calculate weights accurately when designing structures, vehicles, or machinery to ensure they can withstand the forces they'll encounter. Weight calculations are crucial for determining load-bearing requirements, material specifications, and safety factors.
Space Exploration
Understanding how weight changes in different gravitational environments is vital for space missions. It affects everything from rocket design and fuel requirements to habitat construction and astronaut training.
Everyday Applications
Weight calculations are used in shipping and transportation (to determine freight costs), medicine (to calculate proper medication dosages), and even cooking (to measure ingredients).
Weight Comparison Examples
| Object | Mass (kg) | Weight on Earth (N) | Weight on Moon (N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | 70 kg | 686.5 N | 113.4 N |
| Apple | 0.1 kg | 0.981 N | 0.162 N |
| Car | 1500 kg | 14,711 N | 2,430 N |
| Elephant | 5000 kg | 49,035 N | 8,100 N |
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location. Weight is the force exerted on that mass due to gravity and varies depending on the gravitational field. On Earth, we often use these terms interchangeably in everyday language, but they are distinct physical quantities.
Why do astronauts float in space if they still have mass?
Astronauts float in space not because they have no weight, but because they are in a constant state of free fall around the Earth. Both the astronaut and the spacecraft are falling at the same rate, creating the appearance of weightlessness, even though they are still affected by Earth's gravity.
Can weight ever be zero?
Weight can be effectively zero in a zero-gravity environment, such as at the center of the Earth (where gravitational pulls from all directions cancel out) or at Lagrange points in space. However, mass always remains non-zero for physical objects.
How accurate is this weight calculator?
This calculator provides results based on standard gravitational acceleration values for different celestial bodies. The values are accurate for most practical purposes but may vary slightly from actual measurements due to factors like altitude, latitude, and local gravitational anomalies.
Can I calculate weight on planets outside our solar system?
Yes! Use the 'Custom' option for gravitational acceleration. If you know the gravitational acceleration of an exoplanet, you can enter that value to calculate what an object would weigh there.
What is Weight?
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is the product of mass and gravitational acceleration. While mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass.
Weight is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. On Earth, weight always points toward the center of the planet. The SI unit of weight is the Newton (N).
It's important to distinguish between mass and weight. Mass is a fundamental property of matter and remains constant regardless of location. Weight, however, varies depending on the gravitational field. For example, an astronaut's mass remains the same on Earth and the Moon, but their weight on the Moon is only about 1/6 of their weight on Earth due to the Moon's weaker gravitational field.
For example, a person with a mass of 70 kg has a weight of approximately 686.5 newtons on Earth, but would only weigh about 113.4 newtons on the Moon.
Weight Calculation Formula
The weight of an object is calculated using the following formula:
Weight Formula
Where W is the weight (in newtons, N), m is the mass (in kilograms, kg), and g is the gravitational acceleration (in meters per second squared, m/s²).
Gravitational Acceleration on Different Celestial Bodies
The gravitational acceleration varies across different celestial bodies, affecting the weight of objects:
Unit Conversion
The following conversions are useful when working with weight and mass units:
How to Use the Weight Calculator
Our weight calculator allows you to determine the weight of an object on different celestial bodies based on its mass. Here's how to use it:
- Enter the mass of the object in your preferred unit (kilograms, grams, pounds, tons, or ounces).
- Select the gravitational environment (Earth, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, or Custom).
- If you selected 'Custom,' enter the specific gravitational acceleration value in m/s².
- Click the 'Calculate' button to view the results.
- The calculator will display the weight in various units including newtons, kilonewtons, pound-force, kiloponds, and dynes.
Tip: You can use the CSV export feature to save your results or the print button to create a hardcopy for reference.
Applications and Examples
Weight calculations are essential in various fields and everyday scenarios. Here are some common applications:
Engineering and Construction
Engineers need to calculate weights accurately when designing structures, vehicles, or machinery to ensure they can withstand the forces they'll encounter. Weight calculations are crucial for determining load-bearing requirements, material specifications, and safety factors.
Space Exploration
Understanding how weight changes in different gravitational environments is vital for space missions. It affects everything from rocket design and fuel requirements to habitat construction and astronaut training.
Everyday Applications
Weight calculations are used in shipping and transportation (to determine freight costs), medicine (to calculate proper medication dosages), and even cooking (to measure ingredients).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of location. Weight is the force exerted on that mass due to gravity and varies depending on the gravitational field. On Earth, we often use these terms interchangeably in everyday language, but they are distinct physical quantities.
Why do astronauts float in space if they still have mass?
Astronauts float in space not because they have no weight, but because they are in a constant state of free fall around the Earth. Both the astronaut and the spacecraft are falling at the same rate, creating the appearance of weightlessness, even though they are still affected by Earth's gravity.
Can weight ever be zero?
Weight can be effectively zero in a zero-gravity environment, such as at the center of the Earth (where gravitational pulls from all directions cancel out) or at Lagrange points in space. However, mass always remains non-zero for physical objects.
How accurate is this weight calculator?
This calculator provides results based on standard gravitational acceleration values for different celestial bodies. The values are accurate for most practical purposes but may vary slightly from actual measurements due to factors like altitude, latitude, and local gravitational anomalies.
Can I calculate weight on planets outside our solar system?
Yes! Use the 'Custom' option for gravitational acceleration. If you know the gravitational acceleration of an exoplanet, you can enter that value to calculate what an object would weigh there.