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📘 About the Force (F = ma)
Newton's second law says the net force on an object equals its mass times its acceleration, F = ma. Use this force calculator to find any one of force, mass or acceleration from the other two.
Force is in newtons (N). One newton is the force that gives a 1 kg mass an acceleration of 1 m/s². The result is also shown in kilogram-force (kgf), the weight of 1 kg on Earth.
🧮 Formula
F is the net (resultant) force. If several forces act, add them as vectors first.
✏️ Worked examples
Pushing a trolley
You get| Force (N) | 20 |
| Mass (kg) | 25 |
| Acceleration (m/s²) | 0.8 |
| Force (kgf) | 2.03943 |
A 25 kg trolley accelerating at 0.8 m/s² needs a net force of 20 N.
Try this example →Acceleration of a car
You get| Force (N) | 3,000 |
| Mass (kg) | 1,200 |
| Acceleration (m/s²) | 2.5 |
| Force (kgf) | 305.915 |
A 3000 N net force gives a 1200 kg car an acceleration of 2.5 m/s².
Try this example →🧭 How to use this calculator
What you enter
- FindPick what you want to find. The box for that quantity is ignored, so you can leave any number in it.
- Mass (m) (kg)
- Acceleration (a) (m/s²)
- Force (F) (N)
What you get
- Force (N)
- Mass (kg)
- Acceleration (m/s²)
- Force (kgf)
💡 Newton's three laws in one line each
- First law: an object stays at rest or keeps moving at constant velocity unless a net force acts on it.
- Second law: F = ma.
- Third law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for force?
Force = mass × acceleration (F = ma). The SI unit is the newton (N).
What is 1 newton?
The force that gives a mass of 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s². 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².
How many newtons is 1 kg?
1 kg has a weight of about 9.81 N on Earth. That is 1 kilogram-force (kgf).
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter (kg) and is the same everywhere. Weight is the force of gravity on that mass (N), W = mg.