How it works
Dropped from rest, an object gains the same amount of speed every second, so its speed after t seconds is v = g·t. The distance adds up all the speed gained so far, so it grows with the square of the time: d = ½·g·t².
This is the free fall calculator run backwards — that one starts from a drop height. Both ignore air resistance, which is fine for a dropped stone over a few seconds and wrong for a skydiver once drag builds up.
Use it in real life
Measuring a drop you cannot reach: time a stone falling into a well or off a cliff, and the depth is about 4.9 × t² metres.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the distance grow faster than the speed?
Speed rises in step with time, but distance is the sum of every speed along the way. Double the fall time and the speed doubles while the distance quadruples.
Does the mass of the object matter?
No. Without air resistance every object falls with the same acceleration g, so the time alone sets the distance and the speed.
What does this calculator ignore?
Air resistance and any initial throw — it assumes the object starts from rest. For a real skydiver the speed falls short of g·t as drag grows; the terminal velocity calculator gives the limit.