Work Calculator
Solve W = F × d × cos(θ) — enter the force in newtons, the distance in metres and the angle between them to get work in joules.
Reviewed by the OmniCalc teamMethod verified 2026-07-01
500J
= 0.5 kJ
Work 500 JShow steps
- W = F × d × cos(θ) = 50 N × 10 m × cos(0°) = 500 J.
- Cosine factor: cos(0°) = 1.
- In kilojoules: W = 500 J ÷ 1000 = 0.5 kJ.
How to use the work calculator
- 1Enter the force in newtons (N) — the size of the push or pull.
- 2Enter the distance the object moves in metres (m).
- 3Enter the angle θ in degrees between the force and the motion — use 0° when they point the same way. Read the work in joules, with kilojoules beside it and the full working under Show steps.
When is the work zero?
Push at a right angle to the motion and you do no work at all: at θ = 90° the cosine is zero, so W = 0 no matter how hard you push. Hold a heavy box while walking on level ground and, in physics terms, you do no work on it — the upward force is perpendicular to your horizontal path.
Frequently asked questions
What is the work formula?
Work is force times distance times the cosine of the angle between them: W = F × d × cos(θ). When the force pushes in the same direction as the motion, θ = 0°, cos(θ) = 1 and it simplifies to W = F × d.
What units does this use?
Newtons for force and metres for distance, giving work in joules (1 J = 1 N·m). The result is also shown in kilojoules, where 1 kJ = 1000 J.
Why does the angle matter?
Only the part of the force pointing along the direction of motion does work, and that part is F × cos(θ). At θ = 90° the force is perpendicular to the motion, cos(θ) = 0, and no work is done — which is why carrying a bag horizontally does no work against gravity.
Can work be negative?
Yes. When the angle is between 90° and 180°, cos(θ) is negative, so the force does negative work — it removes energy from the object. Friction and braking forces are common examples.