Calculate the ratio of thrust to weight for rockets, aircraft, and engines.
Thrust & Mass
N
kg
Calculation Results
Enter thrust and mass
Quick Reference
TThrust (Newtons)
WWeight (Newtons)
mMass (kg)
g9.81 m/s²
Overview
The thrust-to-weight ratio is a dimensionless parameter that describes the performance of an engine or vehicle. For a vehicle to take off vertically, its thrust-to-weight ratio must be greater than 1.0.
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Pro Tips
Thrust is usually measured in Newtons (N) or Pounds-force (lbf).
Weight = Mass × Gravity. (g ≈ 9.81 m/s²).
Ratios > 1.0 are required for vertical takeoff.
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Fun Facts
"The Saturn V rocket had a sea-level thrust-to-weight ratio of about 1.2 at liftoff."
"The Harrier jump jet has a ratio greater than 1.0, allowing it to take off vertically."
"An F-15 Eagle can have a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1.0, allowing it to accelerate while climbing vertically."
