698 tools
All

Free Fall Calculator

Find drop time t = √(2h / g) and impact speed v = √(2 g h) from rest, with no air drag.

 

 

Time (s)
Impact speed (m/s)

About this calculator

Use this calculator for an object released from rest through height h in a uniform gravitational field. Time is t = √(2h / g) and impact speed is v = √(2 g h). Air resistance is ignored, so the speed is overstated for light objects such as paper or feathers. On Earth g is about 9.81 m/s².

A 20 m drop at g = 9.81 m/s² takes about 2.02 s and hits at about 19.8 m/s. Height and g must be greater than zero. This is not a thrown-object or parachute model.

Height (m): Fall distance in metres.

g (m/s²): Gravitational field. 9.81 on Earth, about 1.62 on the Moon.

Time (s): Time from rest to impact.

Impact speed (m/s): Speed at the bottom, no drag.