This is the weight you experience on Earth's surface.
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Moon
Mars
Jupiter (Cloud Tops)
Saturn (Cloud Tops)
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto (Dwarf Planet)
Choose from a list of planets and moons in our solar system.
Results copied!
Your Cosmic Weight Details
— kg
Formula: Your weight on a celestial body is calculated by multiplying your Earth weight by the ratio of that body's surface gravity to Earth's surface gravity.
Weight on Body = Earth Weight × (Surface Gravity of Body / Surface Gravity of Earth)
Your Earth weight is — kg.
The surface gravity ratio (Body / Earth) is —.
This means you would weigh approximately — on the selected body.
Surface Gravity Comparison
Celestial Body
Surface Gravity (m/s²)
Ratio to Earth
Mercury
3.70
0.38
Venus
8.87
0.91
Earth
9.81
1.00
Moon
1.62
0.17
Mars
3.71
0.38
Jupiter (Cloud Tops)
24.79
2.53
Saturn (Cloud Tops)
10.44
1.06
Uranus
8.87
0.91
Neptune
11.15
1.14
Pluto (Dwarf Planet)
0.62
0.06
Weight on Planets Calculator: Your True Weight Across the Cosmos
Ever wondered what your weight would be if you could visit the Moon, Mars, or even the gas giants? Our Weight on Planets Calculator makes it easy to visualize your mass's effect under different gravitational forces. This isn't just a fun thought experiment; understanding gravity is fundamental to astrophysics, space exploration, and even our own planet's dynamics.
What is Weight on Planets?
Weight on Planets refers to the force exerted on an object due to the gravitational pull of a celestial body. While your mass (the amount of matter in your body) remains constant everywhere in the universe, your weight changes depending on the gravitational acceleration of the planet, moon, or other body you are on. This calculator helps you see those variations in a relatable way.
Who Should Use It?
Students and Educators: To illustrate physics principles related to gravity and mass.
Space Enthusiasts: To explore hypothetical scenarios of human presence on other worlds.
Curious Individuals: Anyone interested in the fascinating differences in planetary gravity.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misunderstanding is the difference between mass and weight. Mass is an intrinsic property and doesn't change, whereas weight is a force that depends on gravity. This calculator highlights this by showing how your *weight* changes, while your underlying *mass* (represented by your input Earth weight) stays the same.
Weight on Planets Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core principle behind calculating weight on other celestial bodies is understanding the relationship between gravitational force, mass, and acceleration due to gravity.
The Formula
The weight (W) of an object on a celestial body is given by:
W_body = m × g_body
Where:
W_body is your weight on the specific celestial body.
m is your mass. On Earth, we often colloquially use "weight" in kilograms (kg), which is technically a measure of mass.
g_body is the acceleration due to gravity on that celestial body's surface.
Since we typically know our weight on Earth (W_earth) and Earth's surface gravity (g_earth ≈ 9.81 m/s²), we can find our mass (m) as:
m = W_earth / g_earth
Substituting this back into the first equation:
W_body = (W_earth / g_earth) × g_body
Rearranging this gives the most practical formula for our calculator:
W_body = W_earth × (g_body / g_earth)
Variable Explanations
Let's break down the components:
Variables in the Weight on Planets Formula
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range
Earth Weight (Input)
Your measured weight on Earth's surface. Assumed to be mass in kg for practical calculator use.
kg
1 – 1000+
Selected Body's Surface Gravity (g_body)
The gravitational acceleration at the surface of the chosen planet or moon.
m/s²
~0.62 (Pluto) to ~24.79 (Jupiter)
Earth's Surface Gravity (g_earth)
The standard gravitational acceleration at Earth's surface.
m/s²
~9.81 (Constant)
Gravity Ratio (g_body / g_earth)
The factor representing how much stronger or weaker the gravity is compared to Earth.
Unitless
~0.06 (Pluto) to ~2.53 (Jupiter)
Weight on Body (Output)
Your calculated weight on the selected celestial body.
kg
Varies significantly based on gravity ratio.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let's see the Weight on Planets Calculator in action:
Example 1: A Trip to the Moon
Imagine an astronaut weighing 80 kg on Earth. What would their weight be on the Moon?
Inputs: Earth Weight = 80 kg, Selected Body = Moon
Calculation: The Moon's surface gravity is approximately 1.62 m/s², while Earth's is 9.81 m/s². The ratio is 1.62 / 9.81 ≈ 0.17.
Result: Weight on Moon = 80 kg × 0.17 ≈ 13.6 kg.
Interpretation: The astronaut would feel significantly lighter on the Moon, weighing only about 13.6 kg. This reduced weight is why astronauts could perform large leaps and bounds during the Apollo missions.
Example 2: A Martian Adventure
Consider a rover weighing 300 kg on Earth. How would its weight differ on Mars?
Inputs: Earth Weight = 300 kg, Selected Body = Mars
Calculation: Mars' surface gravity is about 3.71 m/s². The ratio to Earth's gravity is 3.71 / 9.81 ≈ 0.38.
Result: Weight on Mars = 300 kg × 0.38 ≈ 114 kg.
Interpretation: The rover would weigh significantly less on Mars, about 114 kg. This is a crucial factor for designing landing systems, rovers, and future habitats, as less weight means less force exerted on the Martian surface and potentially lower structural requirements for spacecraft.
How to Use This Weight on Planets Calculator
Using the Weight on Planets Calculator is straightforward:
Enter Your Earth Weight: Input your current weight in kilograms (kg) into the "Your Weight on Earth (kg)" field.
Select a Celestial Body: Use the dropdown menu to choose the planet, moon, or dwarf planet you wish to calculate your weight on.
View Results: The calculator will instantly display your estimated weight on the selected body.
Explore Intermediate Values: Check the "Your Cosmic Weight Details" section for your Earth weight, the gravity ratio, and a brief explanation.
Compare Gravities: Refer to the table to see the surface gravity and ratio for various bodies.
Visualize with Chart: Observe the bar chart for a visual comparison of your potential weight across different locations.
Reset: Click the "Reset" button to return the calculator to its default settings (70 kg on Earth).
Copy: Use the "Copy Results" button to easily transfer the main result, intermediate values, and key assumptions to your clipboard.
How to Read Results
The main result shows your calculated weight in kg on the chosen body. A value less than your Earth weight indicates lower gravity; a value greater than your Earth weight indicates higher gravity.
Decision-Making Guidance
While not directly a financial tool, understanding these weight differences is vital for mission planning. For instance, launching a rocket from a planet with higher gravity requires significantly more fuel and robust engineering. Designing habitats involves considering the weight of structures and equipment under local gravitational conditions.
Key Factors That Affect Weight on Planets Results
The primary determinant is the surface gravity of the celestial body. However, several interconnected factors contribute:
Mass of the Celestial Body: More massive planets generally exert a stronger gravitational pull.
Radius of the Celestial Body: Gravity also depends on how compact the mass is. A smaller radius for the same mass means stronger surface gravity.
Distance from the Center of Mass: The calculations assume surface gravity. As you move further away (e.g., in orbit), gravity weakens according to the inverse square law.
Atmospheric Pressure: While not directly affecting gravitational weight, a dense atmosphere can create buoyant forces or drag, influencing how an object *behaves* or *feels* in terms of overall support. For example, Jupiter's upper atmosphere has measurable gravity but is not a solid surface.
Rotation Rate: A rapidly rotating body can experience a slight outward centrifugal force, particularly at the equator, subtly reducing apparent weight. Our calculator uses standard surface gravity values which usually account for this.
Geological Composition: Variations in density within a planet's crust can lead to minor gravitational anomalies. However, standard values used in calculators represent a good average.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is my mass different on other planets?
A1: No, your mass (the amount of matter in your body) remains constant everywhere. Only your weight, the force of gravity acting on your mass, changes.
Q2: Why is Jupiter's weight so high?
A2: Jupiter is by far the most massive planet in our solar system. Its immense mass creates a very strong gravitational field at its cloud tops, leading to significantly higher apparent weight.
Q3: Does the calculator account for atmospheric pressure?
A3: This calculator primarily focuses on the gravitational force. While atmospheric pressure exists on many planets, it doesn't change your fundamental weight (mass * gravity). Buoyancy effects in dense atmospheres are not included in this basic calculation.
Q4: Can I use this calculator for stars or galaxies?
A4: This calculator is designed for planets and moons within our solar system using known surface gravity values. Gravity calculations for stars or galaxies involve much more complex physics and vastly different scales.
Q5: What does "Cloud Tops" mean for Jupiter and Saturn?
A5: Jupiter and Saturn are gas giants with no solid surface. The gravity values used represent the gravitational pull at the top layer of their visible cloud decks, which is the conventional reference point.
Q6: How accurate are the gravity values?
A6: The values used are standard, averaged surface gravity measurements. Actual gravity can vary slightly depending on latitude, altitude, and local geological density variations.
Q7: Why is Pluto listed if it's a dwarf planet?
A7: Pluto is included for comparative purposes. Although smaller and less massive than the main planets, it still exerts a gravitational pull, albeit a weak one.
Q8: Does changing my Earth weight input change my mass?
A8: In this calculator's context, the "Earth Weight (kg)" input is treated as your mass. Your mass is constant, and this input represents that constant value. The output shows how this mass would be *weighed* under different gravitational conditions.