By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
A projectile rises until its vertical velocity reaches zero. That happens after v sinθ / g seconds, and the height gained is (v sinθ)² / 2g. Horizontal speed does not affect the peak height.
Peak height of a projectile launched at an angle.
H = (v sin θ)² / (2g) t_peak = v sin θ / g
This assumes a launch and landing at the same height with no air resistance.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| v | Launch speed, in metres per second. |
| θ | Launch angle above the horizontal. |
| H | Maximum height above the launch point, in metres. |
| t_peak | Time to reach the peak, in seconds. |
The vertical component is 14.14 m/s, so the projectile rises 10.20 m and takes 1.44 s to reach the top.
Continue with the MOA Calculator, Momentum Calculator, or the Muzzle Velocity Calculator — or browse more kinematics tools and all physics calculators.
A 90° launch sends all the speed upward, so it reaches the highest point. Range, by contrast, peaks at 45°.
Results are computed from the standard equations of classical mechanics. Unit conversions use the SI definitions published by NIST. Air resistance is ignored unless the calculator names a drag model.
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Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026