By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
For a projectile landing at the same height it was launched, the time of flight is set by the vertical component of velocity. Doubling the vertical speed doubles the air time, while the horizontal component has no effect on it.
Air time for a projectile launched and landing at the same height.
t = 2v sin θ / g
This applies when the launch and landing heights are equal. A launch from a height adds time, which the projectile-motion calculator covers.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| v | Launch speed, in metres per second. |
| θ | Launch angle above the horizontal. |
| t | Time of flight, in seconds. |
The vertical component is 14.14 m/s, so the projectile stays up for 2 × 14.14 / 9.80665 = 2.884 s.
Continue with the Trajectory Calculator, Velocity Calculator, or the Magnitude of Acceleration Calculator — or browse more kinematics tools and all physics calculators.
No. Vertical and horizontal motion are independent, so only the vertical component determines how long the projectile stays up.
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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Content updated: September 2026