Mercury
Venus
Earth
Moon
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Choose a celestial body to see your weight.
Your Estimated Weight
–.– kg
Weight on Earth: 70.0 kg
Surface Gravity: 9.81 m/s² (Earth Standard)
Planet/Moon Gravity: –.– m/s²
Formula: Weight = Your Mass (kg) * Surface Gravity (m/s²)
Note: Your mass remains constant, only weight (force) changes due to gravity.
Earth Standard Gravity
Selected Celestial Body Gravity
Comparison of Surface Gravities
Celestial Body
Surface Gravity (m/s²)
Your Weight (kg)
Mercury
3.70
–.–
Venus
8.87
–.–
Earth
9.81
–.–
Moon
1.62
–.–
Mars
3.71
–.–
Jupiter
24.79
–.–
Saturn
10.44
–.–
Uranus
8.69
–.–
Neptune
11.15
–.–
Pluto
0.62
–.–
Weight Comparison Across Solar System Bodies
Understanding Weight on Other Planets: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Weight on Other Planets?
The concept of "weight on other planets" refers to the force of gravity exerted by a celestial body on an object or person. It's a common point of fascination, often discussed in science fiction and astronomy. When we talk about your weight on the Moon or Mars, we're actually describing how strongly that body's gravity pulls on your constant mass. Your mass, which is the amount of matter in your body, doesn't change regardless of location. However, your weight, which is a force (mass times acceleration due to gravity), does change because the acceleration due to gravity varies significantly from one planet to another, and even between a planet and its moons. This difference in gravitational pull is a fundamental aspect of celestial mechanics and a key differentiator between planetary bodies. Understanding your weight on other planets helps us grasp the vast differences in gravitational forces across the solar system.
Who should use this calculator? Anyone curious about space, physics, or simply their own weight under different gravitational conditions. Students learning about gravity, amateur astronomers, science enthusiasts, and even educators looking for a visual aid will find this tool invaluable. It provides a tangible way to relate abstract scientific concepts to personal experience.
Common misconceptions include:
Mass changing: Many people mistakenly believe their mass changes on other planets. Mass is intrinsic to an object; weight is the force experienced.
Gravity being uniform: Assuming all planets have gravity similar to Earth's. The reality is a wide spectrum, from Mercury's weak pull to Jupiter's immense gravity.
Weightlessness meaning zero mass: In space, astronauts experience apparent weightlessness due to freefall, not because they have lost mass.
Weight on Other Planets Formula and Mathematical Explanation
Calculating your weight on another planet is straightforward once you understand the core principles. The fundamental formula relies on Newton's law of universal gravitation, but for practical purposes on a celestial body's surface, we simplify it using the concept of gravitational acceleration.
The weight (W) of an object is the force exerted on it by gravity. It is calculated as the product of the object's mass (m) and the acceleration due to gravity (g) at its location.
The Core Formula:
W = m * g
Where:
W represents Weight (the force).
m represents Mass (the amount of matter).
g represents the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the celestial body.
Step-by-step derivation:
Determine Your Mass: First, you need to know your mass. On Earth, we often state our weight in kilograms (kg), but technically, this is a measure of mass. To be precise, you'd find your mass in kilograms. If you know your weight in Newtons (N), you can find your mass by dividing your weight in Newtons by Earth's standard gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²): Mass (kg) = Weight (N) / 9.81 m/s². However, for common usage, entering your "weight" in kg directly into the calculator is standard practice, as it implicitly represents your mass in kilograms.
Find the Surface Gravity (g): Each planet and moon has a different surface gravity. This value is usually expressed in meters per second squared (m/s²). Earth's standard gravity is approximately 9.81 m/s². Other celestial bodies have significantly different values. For example, Mars has about 3.71 m/s², while Jupiter has about 24.79 m/s².
Calculate Your Weight: Multiply your mass (from step 1) by the surface gravity of the planet or moon (from step 2). This gives you your weight on that specific celestial body. For example, if your mass is 70 kg and you are on Mars (g ≈ 3.71 m/s²), your weight on Mars would be 70 kg * 3.71 m/s² = 259.7 N. Our calculator displays this in kilograms for easier comparison, by dividing the force in Newtons by Earth's gravity (9.81 m/s²): (70 kg * 3.71 m/s²) / 9.81 m/s² = 26.48 kg (equivalent weight).
Variables Table:
Here's a breakdown of the key variables involved:
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range (Solar System Surface)
Mass (m)
The amount of matter in an object. It is an intrinsic property and does not change with location.
Kilograms (kg)
Constant for an individual (e.g., 50 kg to 150 kg for humans)
Surface Gravity (g)
The acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational pull of a celestial body at its surface.
Meters per second squared (m/s²)
~0.62 m/s² (Pluto) to ~24.79 m/s² (Jupiter)
Weight (W)
The force exerted on an object by gravity. On Earth, often colloquially expressed in kg, which represents the force relative to Earth's gravity. Scientifically, it's a force measured in Newtons (N).
Newtons (N) or Equivalent Kilograms (kg)
Varies greatly depending on mass and g
Understanding the Variables for Weight Calculation
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Understanding how weight changes is crucial for space exploration and provides fascinating insights into planetary physics. Let's look at some practical examples using our weight on other planets formula calculator:
Example 1: An Astronaut's Journey to Mars
Imagine an astronaut who weighs 80 kg on Earth. This means their mass is 80 kg, and Earth's gravity (9.81 m/s²) exerts a specific force on them. When this astronaut travels to Mars, their mass remains 80 kg, but Mars has a surface gravity of approximately 3.71 m/s².
Inputs:
Your Weight on Earth: 80 kg
Select a Planet/Moon: Mars
Calculation:
Weight on Mars = 80 kg * 3.71 m/s² (Mars gravity) / 9.81 m/s² (Earth gravity for equivalent kg display)
Outputs:
Your Estimated Weight on Mars: Approximately 30.4 kg
Surface Gravity: 3.71 m/s²
Planet/Moon Gravity: 3.71 m/s²
Interpretation: The astronaut would feel significantly lighter on Mars, weighing only about 30.4 kg in equivalent Earth-based kilograms. This lighter feeling has implications for mobility, equipment design, and physiological effects during long-duration stays.
Example 2: A Tourist on the Moon
Consider a person who weighs 65 kg on Earth. If they were to visit the Moon, they would experience a much weaker gravitational pull. The Moon's surface gravity is about 1.62 m/s².
Inputs:
Your Weight on Earth: 65 kg
Select a Planet/Moon: Moon
Calculation:
Weight on Moon = 65 kg * 1.62 m/s² (Moon gravity) / 9.81 m/s² (Earth gravity)
Outputs:
Your Estimated Weight on the Moon: Approximately 10.7 kg
Surface Gravity: 1.62 m/s²
Planet/Moon Gravity: 1.62 m/s²
Interpretation: On the Moon, this person would feel incredibly light, weighing just over 10 kg. This is why astronauts on the Moon appeared to bound and jump with ease – the reduced gravitational force makes movement feel effortless, though maintaining balance can be tricky.
How to Use This Weight on Other Planets Calculator
Using our interactive calculator to determine your weight on different celestial bodies is simple and intuitive. Follow these steps to get instant results:
Enter Your Earth Weight: In the "Your Weight on Earth" field, input your current weight in kilograms (kg). This value represents your mass, which remains constant across the universe.
Select a Celestial Body: Use the dropdown menu labeled "Select a Planet/Moon" to choose the location you're curious about (e.g., Mars, Jupiter, the Moon). The default is Earth.
Calculate: Click the "Calculate Weight" button. The calculator will instantly process your input and display the results.
How to Read the Results:
Your Estimated Weight: This is the primary result, displayed prominently in kilograms. It shows how much you would "weigh" (the force of gravity on your mass) on the selected celestial body, expressed in a way that's comparable to your Earth weight.
Weight on Earth: Confirms the mass you entered.
Surface Gravity: Shows the gravitational acceleration (g) of the selected planet or moon in m/s².
Planet/Moon Gravity: Repeats the surface gravity for clarity.
Table and Chart: The table and chart provide a visual comparison of surface gravities and your calculated weight across various bodies in our solar system, offering context and broader understanding.
Decision-Making Guidance:
While this calculator is primarily for educational and curiosity purposes, the results can inform understanding for hypothetical scenarios. For instance, knowing that Jupiter's gravity is over twice Earth's (resulting in more than double your weight) highlights the challenges of building structures or launching vehicles from such a massive planet. Conversely, the Moon's low gravity explains the feasibility of lunar bases and the unique challenges (like bone density loss) astronauts face. Use the results to appreciate the diverse physical conditions across the solar system.
Key Factors That Affect Weight on Other Planets Results
While the core formula Weight = Mass × Gravity is simple, several factors underpin the 'g' value and thus influence the calculated weight:
Mass of the Celestial Body: This is the most significant factor. More massive planets exert a stronger gravitational pull. Jupiter, being the most massive planet in our solar system, has the highest surface gravity.
Radius of the Celestial Body: Gravity decreases with distance from the center of a mass. For bodies of similar mass, a smaller radius means the surface is closer to the center, resulting in stronger surface gravity. For example, Earth and Venus have similar masses, but Venus is slightly larger, leading to slightly less surface gravity.
Composition and Density: While less direct than mass and radius, the internal density distribution can play a subtle role. However, for the major planets, mass and radius are the dominant factors determining surface gravity.
Atmospheric Pressure (Indirect Effect): While atmospheric pressure itself doesn't directly change your *weight* (the gravitational force), it does contribute to what's often perceived as "resistance" or buoyancy effects, especially for gases. However, for solid objects like humans, the effect on measured weight is negligible compared to gravity. Our calculator focuses purely on gravitational force.
Altitude Above Surface: The calculator provides surface gravity. As you move higher above a planet's surface, the gravitational pull weakens rapidly. So, your weight on Mount Everest would be slightly less than your weight at sea level on Earth, though the difference is minuscule for practical purposes.
Gravitational Anomalies: On Earth, and potentially on other bodies, localized variations in density (e.g., massive ore deposits) can cause slight fluctuations in gravity across the surface. Our calculator uses average surface gravity values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does my mass actually change when I go to another planet?
A: No, your mass (the amount of matter you are made of) remains the same regardless of your location in the universe. Only your weight, the force of gravity acting on your mass, changes.
Q2: Why does the calculator show my weight in kg for other planets? Isn't weight a force?
A: You are correct! Scientifically, weight is a force measured in Newtons (N). However, for convenience and easy comparison, this calculator displays your "weight" on other planets as an *equivalent* weight in kilograms. This is calculated by taking your Earth weight (in kg, representing your mass), multiplying it by the other planet's gravity, and then dividing by Earth's standard gravity (9.81 m/s²). This allows you to directly compare how heavy you would *feel* on different worlds relative to Earth.
Q3: Are the gravity values used in the calculator exact?
A: The calculator uses generally accepted average surface gravity values for major celestial bodies. These values can vary slightly based on different measurement sources and can fluctuate slightly across the surface of a planet due to density variations.
Q4: Can I use this calculator for moons other than Earth's Moon?
A: This calculator includes Earth's Moon. For other moons (like Jupiter's moons), specific surface gravity data can be complex to find and may not represent a single "surface" value due to their gaseous nature or irregular shapes. We've included the most commonly referenced bodies.
Q5: What is the difference between weight and mass?
A: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and is constant. Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass. Think of it this way: you have the same amount of "stuff" (mass) whether you're on Earth or the Moon, but the Moon pulls on that "stuff" with less force, so you weigh less there.
Q6: Why is Jupiter's gravity so much higher than Earth's?
A: Jupiter is a gas giant and has vastly more mass than Earth. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the more massive an object, the stronger its gravitational pull. Jupiter's immense mass creates a significantly stronger gravitational field at its cloud tops (which we consider its "surface" for gravity calculations).
Q7: Does Pluto have gravity?
A: Yes, Pluto has gravity, although it is much weaker than Earth's. Because Pluto is much less massive and smaller than Earth, its surface gravity is only about 6% of Earth's. Our calculator includes Pluto for comparison.
Q8: How does this relate to space travel?
A: Understanding different gravitational forces is crucial for space travel. It affects rocket launch calculations (overcoming gravity), the design of spacecraft, the physiological effects on astronauts (muscle and bone loss in microgravity or low gravity), and the mechanics of landing on different bodies.