Online Tool Store
Terminal Velocity Estimator
Enter an object's mass, cross-sectional area, and drag coefficient to estimate its terminal velocity when falling through air. Runs entirely in your browser.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Example
Terminal Velocity Estimator
Sample: skydiver, belly-to-earth position
Example shown — replace it with your own mass, area, and drag coefficient.
Mass
75 kg
Area
0.7 m²
Drag coeff.
1.0
Result
How it works
- Enter the object's mass.
- Enter its cross-sectional area and drag coefficient.
- Get an estimated terminal velocity in air.
The method
Terminal velocity is calculated from the balance between gravitational force and air resistance, using standard air density at sea level.
FAQ
What is terminal velocity?
The constant speed a falling object reaches when the upward drag force equals the downward pull of gravity, so it stops accelerating.
What does the drag coefficient represent?
A number describing how aerodynamic an object's shape is — lower values mean less air resistance for a given size, so the object falls faster before reaching terminal velocity.
Does altitude affect the result?
Yes — air density changes with altitude, which affects drag and therefore terminal velocity; this estimate assumes sea-level air density unless you adjust for it.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Physics textbook formula by hand | Simulation software |
|---|---|---|---|
| No software install | Yes | Yes | No |
| Quick to start | Yes | Slow | Setup required |
| Free to use | Yes | Free | Often paid |
For a quick estimate without setting up simulation software, this gets you a usable number fast.