Solve the work equation W = F × d × cos(θ): find work, force, distance or power, with newtons/pounds-force and metres/feet conversions.
At 90° the force does no work (cos 90° = 0); beyond 90° the work is negative — the force opposes the motion.
answer
How to use this tool
Work, force, distance or power.
In newtons or pounds-force, and metres or feet — conversions are handled for you.
0° means pushing along the motion; 90° means pushing sideways, which does no work.
Work in joules, with kilojoules and kilocalories, plus the component breakdown.
Formula & worked example
Pushing with 50 N over 10 m in the direction of motion does 50 × 10 × cos(0°) = 500 J of work. At 60° the same push does only 250 J, and at 90° it does 0 J.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
This is the work done by a constant force in a straight line. It does not cover varying forces, curved paths, friction losses or rotational work, which need calculus or torque methods.
Frequently asked questions
Energy transferred by a force acting over a distance, measured in joules. 1 joule = 1 newton-metre.
Only the part of the force pointing along the motion does work. That part is F × cos(θ), so a sideways force (90°) does no work at all.
Yes — when the angle is over 90°, the force opposes the motion (like friction), and the work done by that force is negative.
Work is the total energy transferred; power is how fast it is transferred (work ÷ time, in watts).
Lifting a 1 kg mass by about 10 cm takes roughly 1 joule; a 100 W light bulb uses 100 joules every second.