Spring Force CalculatorFree online other calculator — instant results, no sign-up
Calculate ideal spring force using Hooke’s law.
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About the Spring Force Calculator
The Spring Force Calculator calculates the magnitude of an ideal spring’s restoring force using Hooke’s law. Enter the spring constant in N/m and the displacement magnitude from equilibrium in meters. With the default inputs of 100 N/m and 0.05 m, the calculated spring force is 5 N.
- Spring constant (N/m)
- The spring constant describes the spring’s stiffness in newtons per meter (N/m), with a default value of 100.
- Displacement magnitude (m)
- Displacement magnitude is the nonnegative distance the spring is stretched or compressed from its equilibrium position, measured in meters (m), with a default value of 0.05.
Formula and method
F = kx; with the default inputs, F = (100 N/m) × (0.05 m) = 5 N.
- FMagnitude of the spring’s restoring force, in newtons (N).
- kSpring constant, or stiffness, in newtons per meter (N/m).
- xDisplacement magnitude from equilibrium, in meters (m).
Multiply the spring constant by the displacement magnitude. The meter units cancel, leaving the force in newtons: (100 N/m) × (0.05 m) = 5 N. Because the input is a magnitude, the result reports force magnitude rather than a signed direction.
Worked example
These are the calculator's starting values and the results it actually produces for them.
Inputs
- Spring constant100 N/m
- Displacement magnitude0.05 m
Results
- Result5 N
How to use the Spring Force Calculator
- 1Identify the spring constant and express it in N/m; the default is 100 N/m.
- 2Measure the stretch or compression from the spring’s equilibrium position and express its magnitude in meters; the default is 0.05 m.
- 3Enter both values, using a positive spring constant and a nonnegative displacement magnitude.
- 4Calculate the force by multiplying the spring constant by the displacement magnitude.
- 5Read the result in newtons; the default inputs produce 5 N.
Reading your result
The Result row gives the magnitude of the ideal spring force in newtons. A result of 5 N means the spring exerts a restoring force of that magnitude at the specified displacement. The force acts toward equilibrium, opposite the stretch or compression; its direction is not shown by this magnitude-only result.
Limitations
This calculator assumes a linear, ideal spring with a constant stiffness over the entered displacement. Real springs can become nonlinear, reach compression limits, or deform permanently outside their elastic range. The calculation does not include damping, friction, preload, or dynamic effects, and it does not determine whether a spring is safe for a particular load.
Common questions
Why is the result positive when Hooke’s law is often written with a minus sign?+
The signed form, F = −kx, indicates that the restoring force opposes signed displacement. This calculator accepts displacement magnitude and reports force magnitude, so it uses F = kx without a minus sign.
Can I use this calculator for both stretching and compressing a spring?+
Yes, if the spring behaves linearly in the chosen mode and the spring constant applies to it. Enter the magnitude of either stretch or compression from equilibrium, not a negative value for compression.
Should I enter the spring’s total length as the displacement?+
No. Enter the change in length from the spring’s unstretched, uncompressed equilibrium length. The default 0.05 m represents that change, not the total spring length.
How do the default inputs produce 5 N?+
Multiplying the spring constant of 100 N/m by the displacement magnitude of 0.05 m gives 5 N. The meters cancel, leaving newtons.
Does the calculator save my information?+
Calculations run in your browser. While signed in, inputs and results are automatically recorded in account history; saving a result creates a separate saved record.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes and are not financial, medical or legal advice.