{
    "name": "Force Calculator (F = ma)",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/force-mass-acceleration-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/force-mass-acceleration-calculator.md",
    "category": "Science & engineering",
    "description": "Use Newton’s second law to find force from mass and acceleration, or mass or acceleration from the other two, in N, kN, lbf, kgf, m/s² or g.",
    "summary": "Newton’s second law says the net force on an object equals its mass times its acceleration. Enter any two of force, mass and acceleration to get the third.",
    "also_called": [
        "F = ma calculator",
        "Newton’s second law calculator",
        "Net force calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "solve",
            "label": "Solve for",
            "type": "segmented",
            "default": "force",
            "options": {
                "force": "Force",
                "mass": "Mass",
                "acceleration": "Acceleration"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "mass",
            "label": "Mass",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1200",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "force",
                    "acceleration"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "mass_unit",
            "label": "Mass unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "kg",
            "options": {
                "kg": "kilograms (kg)",
                "g": "grams (g)",
                "t": "tonnes (t)",
                "lb": "pounds (lb)",
                "oz": "ounces (oz)"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "acceleration",
            "label": "Acceleration",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "3",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "force",
                    "mass"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "acceleration_unit",
            "label": "Acceleration unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "ms2",
            "options": {
                "ms2": "m/s²",
                "fts2": "ft/s²",
                "g": "g (9.80665 m/s²)"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "force",
            "label": "Net force",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "3600",
            "shown_when": {
                "solve": [
                    "mass",
                    "acceleration"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "force_unit",
            "label": "Force unit",
            "type": "select",
            "default": "n",
            "options": {
                "n": "newtons (N)",
                "kn": "kilonewtons (kN)",
                "lbf": "pounds-force (lbf)",
                "kgf": "kilograms-force (kgf)"
            }
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "answer",
            "label": "Result",
            "format": "text"
        },
        {
            "key": "force_n",
            "label": "Force",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "force_lbf",
            "label": "Force",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "mass_kg",
            "label": "Mass",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "acceleration_ms2",
            "label": "Acceleration",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "acceleration_g",
            "label": "Acceleration",
            "format": "number"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "F = m a;  m = F ÷ a;  a = F ÷ m",
        "variables": {
            "F": "net force in newtons (1 lbf = 4.4482216152605 N; 1 kgf = 9.80665 N)",
            "m": "mass in kilograms",
            "a": "acceleration in m/s² (1 g = 9.80665 m/s²)"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "solve": "force",
            "mass": "1200",
            "mass_unit": "kg",
            "acceleration": "3",
            "acceleration_unit": "ms2",
            "force": "3600",
            "force_unit": "n"
        },
        "steps": [
            "F = m × a.",
            "F = 1,200 kg × 3 m/s² = 3,600 N."
        ],
        "result": "Accelerating a 1,200 kg car at 3 m/s² takes a net force of 3,600 N (about 809 lbf)."
    },
    "interpretation": "The force here is the net (unbalanced) force. To size a motor or brake, add the forces it must also overcome, such as friction, drag or the component of weight on a slope.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Constant mass and a single net force along the direction of motion."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Does not add friction, drag or gravity for you; include them in the net force."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "What is a newton?",
            "answer": "The force that gives 1 kg an acceleration of 1 m/s². Holding up a 100 g apple takes about 1 N."
        },
        {
            "question": "Is weight the same as F = ma?",
            "answer": "Weight is the special case where the acceleration is g: W = m g. The Weight Calculator does that for Earth and other planets."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [
        {
            "title": "BIPM: The International System of Units (SI)",
            "url": "https://www.bipm.org/"
        }
    ],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Weight Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/weight-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Momentum Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/momentum-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Impulse Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/impulse-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Pressure Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/pressure-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}