Electric Potential Calculator for V, Q and Distance
Calculate electric potential, charge, or distance from Coulomb's law using V = kQ/r for point-charge electrostatics.
Pick the variable you want to solve, enter the other two values, and the calculator rearranges the electric potential formula instantly.
Electric Potential Calculator for V, Q and Distance
Calculate electric potential, charge, or distance from Coulomb's law using V = kQ/r for point-charge electrostatics.
Use charge and distance to solve electric potential.
About the electric potential calculator
Electric potential is one of the most useful quantities in electrostatics because it converts a force-based problem into an energy-per-charge problem. For a point charge, the potential at distance r is V = kQ / r, where k is the Coulomb constant and Q is the source charge in coulombs. This calculator lets you solve that equation in all three directions. You can find the potential created by a charge, determine what charge would be needed to create a target potential, or solve for the distance associated with a known potential and charge.
Potential is measured in volts, which are joules per coulomb. That makes it closely connected to energy, work, and voltage difference. In practice, a positive charge produces positive potential and a negative charge produces negative potential. Because the formula depends on 1/r, potential falls off linearly with inverse distance rather than inverse square. This is why potential often stays convenient for comparing different points in space even when the electric field changes rapidly.
Rearranging the formula is common in physics classes and engineering estimates. If you know the potential and distance, you can solve for Q = Vr / k to infer the source charge. If you know the potential and the source charge, you can solve for r = kQ / V to find where that potential occurs relative to the point charge. The calculator handles those rearrangements directly so you do not have to worry about algebra errors or scientific notation slips.
This point-charge formula is ideal for introductory problems, laboratory approximations, and quick validation checks. It works best in vacuum or air, where the standard Coulomb constant is a reasonable approximation. Once you move into dielectric materials, nonuniform fields, or extended charge distributions, the effective permittivity or geometry changes the relationship. In those cases, the point-charge model still provides intuition, but a more detailed field solution may be required.
Even with those limitations, electric potential remains a central concept across electrostatics, capacitor analysis, particle motion, and field visualization. A fast calculator is helpful when you need to compare scenarios, interpret signs, or verify hand calculations before moving on to a more complete design or derivation.
Electric potential examples
These worked examples show the three main ways to rearrange V = kQ/r.
| Inputs | Output | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Mode: Find potential; Q = 2 × 10^-9 C, r = 0.25 m | V = 71.900414 V | A small nanocoulomb-scale charge can still create a substantial potential when you are nearby. |
| Mode: Find charge; V = 90 V, r = 0.5 m | Q = 5.006926e-9 C | The rearranged equation shows that only a few nanocoulombs are needed to create 90 volts at half a meter. |
| Mode: Find distance; V = 17.975104 V, Q = 1 × 10^-9 C | r = 0.5 m | Distance grows as potential decreases when the source charge stays fixed. |
How to use the electric potential calculator
- Choose whether you want to solve for potential, charge, or distance.
- Enter the two known quantities that match the selected mode using volts, coulombs, and meters.
- Click Calculate to see the solved value and the rearranged formula used.
- Use Reset to clear the fields and start a new point-charge scenario.
Electric potential calculator FAQ
What does electric potential measure?
Electric potential measures potential energy per unit charge at a location in an electric field. Because of that, it is expressed in volts, which are equivalent to joules per coulomb.
Why is the denominator just r and not r squared?
Potential is related to the integral of the electric field, so its distance dependence is one power weaker than the field itself for a point charge. That is why electric potential varies with 1/r while electric field varies with 1/r².
Can electric potential be negative?
Yes. A negative source charge produces negative electric potential relative to the zero reference at infinity. The sign of the result is meaningful because it tells you the direction of potential energy change for a positive test charge.
Why can distance become invalid when solving for r?
Distance must remain positive in a physical point-charge problem. If the signs of charge and potential would imply a negative distance or if potential is zero, the entered values are not consistent with the simple equation.
Does this formula work inside materials?
It is most accurate in vacuum or air using the standard Coulomb constant shown here. In materials with different permittivity, you may need to replace the constant or use a more detailed electrostatics model.