Calculate the kinetic energy of a bullet or other projectile from its weight and velocity.
Calculator
Enter projectile mass and the velocity you want to evaluate.
Unit note:gr means grains and g means grams. The velocity can be muzzle, chronograph, published or downrange velocity.
Projectile energy
1,099 ft-lbf
Joules1,490 J
Kilojoules1.49 kJ
Foot-pounds force1,099 ft-lbf
Energy at the entered velocity.
Calculation summary
Mass
55 gr = 3.564 g
Velocity
3000 fps = 914.4 m/s
Energy
1,490 J = 1,099 ft-lbf
How bullet energy is calculated
Bullet mass is converted into kilograms and velocity is converted into metres per second. Energy is calculated with E = 1/2mv^2, then converted from joules into kilojoules and foot-pounds force.
Energy increases linearly with projectile mass.
Energy increases with the square of velocity.
Doubling mass doubles energy when velocity stays the same.
Doubling velocity produces four times the energy when mass stays the same.
Reference conversions
1 grain equals 0.06479891 grams.
1 foot per second equals 0.3048 metres per second.
1 foot-pound force equals approximately 1.355818 joules.
1 joule equals approximately 0.737562 foot-pounds force.
Safety and interpretation notice
Calculated energy is a mathematical result based on the entered projectile mass and velocity. It does not determine whether ammunition, a firearm or a handload is safe or suitable. Always follow published manufacturer and component data.
The calculator does not estimate chamber pressure or safe powder charges.
It does not validate ammunition compatibility or legal hunting classification.
It does not account for bullet construction, sectional density, expansion or penetration.
A downrange energy result is only valid if the entered downrange velocity is accurate.
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