Impulse Calculator

Use our impulse calculator to solve impulse, force, or time given the other two properties using the J = Ft impulse formula.

Calculate

ImpulseForceTime

Force (F)

NkNMNkgflbf

Time (t)

secminhrs

Impulse (J)

kg·m/smN·sN·skN·sMN·slbf·slb·ft/s

Time (t)

secminhrs

Impulse (J)

kg·m/smN·sN·skN·sMN·slbf·slb·ft/s

Force (F)

NkNMNkgflbf

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Results: Impulse

Results: Impulse

- kg·m/s - mN·s - N·s - kN·s - MN·s - lbf·s - lb·ft/s

Impulse Measurement Unit kg·m/s mN·s N·s kN·s MN·s lbf·s lb·ft/s

Impulse Formula:

J = Ft

Results: Force

- N - kN - MN - kgf - lbf

Force Measurement Unit N kN MN kgf lbf

Force Formula:

F = J / t

Results: Time

- sec - min - hrs

Time Measurement Unit sec min hrs

Time Formula:

t = J / F

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By

Joe Sexton

Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.

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Sexton, J. (n.d.). Impulse Calculator. Inch Calculator. Retrieved July 13, 2026, from https://www.inchcalculator.com/impulse-calculator/

How to Use the Impulse Formula

Impulse is the total effect of a force acting over a period of time. Unlike force alone, impulse accounts for both the magnitude of the force and how long it is applied.

Impulse is directly related to an object’s momentum through the Impulse-Momentum Theorem, which states that the impulse applied to an object equals its change in momentum.

You can calculate impulse using a standard formula.

Impulse Formula

The impulse formula states:

J = Ft

Where:

• J = impulse
• F = force
• t = time

Thus, the impulse J in newton-seconds is equal to the force F in newtons multiplied by the time t in seconds.

How to Calculate Impulse

To calculate impulse, use the formula above and multiply the applied force by the time in seconds.

J = Ft

How to Calculate Force

You can rearrange this formula to solve for force given the impulse and time properties.

Formula:

F = J / t

So, the amount of force F is equal to the impulse J divided by the time t.

How to Calculate Time

You can use a similar rearrangement to calculate the time using the impulse formula.

Formula:

t = J / F

So, the time t is equal to the impulse J divided by the force F.

Impulse vs. Momentum

Simply put, impulse is the change in momentum p. So, impulse can also be expressed as Δp.

J = Δp

Recall that momentum is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by its velocity.

p = mv

Therefore, impulse is also equal to the mass of an object multiplied by the change in velocity, which the Impulse-Momentum Theorem states can be expressed as:

J = m(v_f – v_i)

The impulse J is equal to the mass of an object m multiplied by the final velocity v_f minus the initial velocity v_i.