How to Calculate Work from Force and Distance

Calculates work as W = force × distance, for a force along the direction of motion. Force is in newtons, distance in metres, and work in joules (J).

Explanation

Work measures what a force achieves as it moves an object. The larger the force, and the further the object travels, the more work is done.

W = F x

$W$ is the work, in joules (J)
$F$ is the force, in newtons (N)
$x$ is the distance moved along the force, in metres (m)

One joule is the work done by a force of 1 N acting over 1 m, so 1 J = 1 N·m.

Example

The defaults are a force of 10 N and a distance of 3 m.

W = 10 \times 3 = 30\,\mathrm{J}

The work is 30 J. Work done on an object turns into energy: push a resting block along a frictionless floor with 10 N for 3 m and it ends up with 30 J of kinetic energy.

Notes

The formula assumes the force is constant and points along the direction of motion. When the force pulls at an angle $\theta$ to the motion, only the component along the motion does work, and $W = F x \cos\theta$ .

A force at right angles to the motion does no work at all. Carrying a heavy bag across a level room is tiring, but the upward force holding it up does zero work in the physical sense.

A force that opposes the motion, as friction does, does negative work.

Enter newtons and metres. Centimetres will not give you joules.