Calculate the minimum speed an object must reach to break free from a planet's gravitational pull.
Planetary Specs
Velocity Results
Enter mass and radius
About this calculator
Quick Reference
G6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/kg·s²
MMass of the celestial body
RRadius of the celestial body
veMinimum escape velocity
Overview
Escape velocity is the speed at which the kinetic energy plus the gravitational potential energy of an object is zero. It is the speed needed to 'break free' from a gravitational field without further propulsion.
💡
Pro Tips
Formula: ve = sqrt(2 * G * M / R).
G is the constant of universal gravitation (6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻²).
Escape velocity depends only on the mass and radius of the planet, not on the mass of the escaping object.
!
Fun Facts
"Earth's escape velocity is about 11.2 km/s (roughly 25,000 mph)."
"The escape velocity of a Black Hole is greater than the speed of light!"
"A person can theoretically 'escape' the gravity of a small asteroid just by jumping."
