Track gravity loss as altitude steadily rises. See weight, ratios, and percent changes across worlds. Visual results support physics study, design checks, and planning.
Enter a planet or custom body, then compare surface gravity with gravity at the selected altitude.
Example values below use Earth and an 80 kg object to show how gravity and weight change as altitude increases.
| Altitude (km) | Gravity (m/s²) | Weight for 80 kg (N) | Percent Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 9.806650 | 784.5320 | 0.0000% |
| 10 | 9.775937 | 782.0750 | 0.3132% |
| 100 | 9.505897 | 760.4717 | 3.0668% |
| 400 | 8.682209 | 694.5768 | 11.4661% |
| 1,000 | 7.326272 | 586.1018 | 25.2928% |
The calculator uses the inverse-square gravity relation for altitude above a spherical body's surface:
g(h) = g₀ × [R / (R + h)]²
Where:
Weight is also computed from W = m × g.
Potential energy gain per kilogram uses ΔU/m = μ × (1/R − 1/(R+h)), where μ = g₀R².
The linear approximation shown in the chart is: g(h) ≈ g₀ × (1 − 2h/R). It works best at small altitudes.
Gravity weakens because the distance from the body's center increases. The inverse-square law means even moderate altitude changes reduce gravitational acceleration slightly.
No. Mass stays constant. Only weight changes because weight depends on local gravity. A body with the same mass weighs less where gravity is weaker.
Yes. The preset selector includes several worlds. Choose one, then enter your altitude. The calculator automatically applies that body's surface gravity and radius.
It is g(h) divided by surface gravity g₀. A value of 0.90 means gravity at altitude is 90% of the surface value.
It works best when altitude is small compared with body radius. At higher altitudes, the full inverse-square relation is more accurate and should be trusted.
No. This model focuses on gravitational change due to altitude only. It does not include drag, rotation, oblateness, or atmospheric density effects.
They help show how altitude changes the wider orbital environment. These outputs are useful in physics study, mission planning, and engineering checks.
Yes. The calculator supports meters, kilometers, feet, and miles. It converts the selected unit internally before applying the gravity equations.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.