Determine the margin of safety for engineering designs by comparing strength to expected load.
Design Parameters
Safety Analysis
Enter strength and stress values
About this calculator
Quick Reference
Yield StrengthStress where material deforms permanently
Ultimate StrengthMaximum stress before fracture
Working StressActual stress applied by loads
Margin of SafetyFoS - 1
Overview
The Factor of Safety (FoS) is a ratio between the structural capacity of a system and the actual applied load. It accounts for uncertainties in materials, loading, and environments.
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Pro Tips
FoS > 1: The design is theoretically safe under the design load.
FoS = 1: The design will fail exactly at the design load.
FoS < 1: The design is unsafe and will fail.
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Fun Facts
"Aerospace designs often use low factors (1.2–1.5) to minimize weight."
"Lifting equipment and elevators can have safety factors as high as 10 or 12."
"The concept was popularized in the 18th century to prevent steam engine boiler explosions."
