This muzzle energy calculator will help you quickly determine the kinetic energy of a projectile at the moment it exits the barrel of a firearm.
Muzzle Energy Calculator
How to use this calculator
Enter the weight of the bullet in grains and the muzzle velocity in feet per second into the appropriate fields. Press the “Calculate” button, and the muzzle energy in foot-pounds will be displayed.
How it calculates the results
The calculator uses the formula for kinetic energy: E = (1/2)mv2, where m is the mass of the bullet, and v is the velocity of the bullet. Because bullet weight is typically given in grains and energy in foot-pounds, the formula is adjusted to account for the units: E = (bullet weight * muzzle velocity2) / 450240, which gives the energy in foot-pounds.
Calculator Limitations
This calculator assumes a perfectly efficient transfer of kinetic energy and does not account for variables such as air resistance, bullet shape, or other environmental factors which can affect the actual muzzle energy.