Projectile Motion Calculator
Calculate flight time, horizontal range, maximum height and impact speed from launch speed, angle and initial height. See the equations, switch to a drop from rest, or solve one-dimensional constant-acceleration motion.
Enter your values or load an example to see the answer and worked steps. Calculations run in your browser.
Set a clear coordinate system
The launch height is measured above a flat landing plane at y = 0. A positive angle points above horizontal and a negative angle points downward. Inputs use meters, seconds and meters per second; gravity is entered as a positive downward magnitude.
Separate horizontal and vertical motion
The calculator resolves the launch speed into vₓ = v cos θ and vᵧ = v sin θ. It solves the vertical landing equation for nonnegative time, then multiplies that time by horizontal velocity to obtain range.
Distinguish launch height from maximum height
Maximum height is measured above the landing plane. If the initial vertical velocity is positive, the projectile rises an additional vᵧ²/(2g). A horizontal or downward launch has its maximum height at the starting point.
Use the free-fall and SUVAT modes
Drop mode starts at rest. The one-dimensional mode accepts initial velocity, acceleration and elapsed time to calculate final velocity and signed displacement. It does not calculate total distance if the object reverses direction.
Understand the idealized model
These equations assume constant acceleration, no air resistance and no obstacles. They are useful for classroom problems and model comparisons. Real trajectories can differ because of drag, wind, spin and changing terrain.
References
Related free tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I launch from a height?
Yes. Enter a nonnegative height above the landing plane. The landing time then accounts for that extra drop.
Can I model a downward launch?
Yes. Use an angle between −90° and 0°. A downward launch at zero height has zero modeled flight time.
Does the calculator include air resistance?
No. It uses constant gravity and an ideal point particle. There is no drag, wind or spin model.
Which gravity value should I use?
Use the value specified by your problem. The example uses 9.81 m/s²; changing gravity updates every trajectory result.
Continue in the app
Use Physics AI - Problem Solver on iPhone to work through full problems step by step after this quick check.
