Calculate mechanical advantage and balance forces using the law of the lever.
Lever Parameters
Balance Results
Enter parameters to balance lever
About this calculator
Quick Reference
F1Effort Applied
d1Distance to Fulcrum (Effort)
F2Load / Resistance
d2Distance to Fulcrum (Load)
MAMechanical Advantage
Overview
A lever is a simple machine consisting of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, or fulcrum. The law of the lever states that the lever is in balance when the torque on one side equals the torque on the other.
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Pro Tips
Mechanical Advantage (MA) is the ratio of effort distance to load distance.
A higher MA means you can lift a heavier load with less effort.
The distances are measured from the center of the fulcrum.
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Fun Facts
"Archimedes famously said: 'Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.'"
"Scissors and pliers are examples of double levers with a common fulcrum."
"Your elbow acts as a fulcrum when you lift objects with your arm."
