Accelerometer Calculator

Accelerometer Calculator. An accelerometer converts physical motion into a voltage signal — but turning that raw voltage into meaningful acceleration data requires accounting for sensitivity, offset, and supply voltage. Enter your accelerometer output voltage, supply voltage, sensitivity, and zero-G offset into the Accelerometer Calculator, then select your axis to get the primary acceleration in g-force. Secondary outputs include acceleration in m/s², tilt angle, and peak acceleration — with optional vibration analysis if you provide a vibration frequency. Also try the Current Sense Resistor Calculator.

Accelerometer Output *

Output voltage or digital value from accelerometer

Supply Voltage *

Power supply voltage to the accelerometer

Sensitivity *

V/g

Accelerometer sensitivity specification

Zero-G Offset *

Output voltage at 0g acceleration

Axis *

Vibration Frequency

Optional: For vibration analysis calculations

Results

Acceleration

Acceleration (m/s²)

Tilt Angle

Peak Acceleration

What is accelerometer sensitivity and how does it affect measurements?

Accelerometer sensitivity is the ratio of output voltage change to acceleration input, typically expressed in V/g or mV/g. Higher sensitivity provides better resolution for small acceleration changes but may limit the maximum measurable range. See also our Thermocouple Calculator.

How do I convert accelerometer output voltage to g-force?

To convert voltage to g-force, subtract the zero-g offset voltage from the output voltage, then divide by the sensitivity. The formula is: G-force = (Output Voltage - Zero-G Offset) / Sensitivity.

What is zero-g offset and why is it important?

Zero-g offset is the output voltage when the accelerometer experiences no acceleration (0g). This offset must be subtracted from measurements to get accurate acceleration values. It's typically half the supply voltage for single-supply accelerometers.

Can I calculate tilt angle from accelerometer data?

Yes, you can calculate tilt angle using the arctangent of the acceleration ratio. For small angles, the tilt angle approximates to arcsin(acceleration/1g). This works best for static measurements without external vibrations.

What's the difference between acceleration units (g vs m/s²)?

Both measure acceleration but use different scales. 1g equals 9.81 m/s² and represents Earth's gravitational acceleration. Accelerometers often use 'g' units because it's intuitive for gravity-related measurements.

How does supply voltage affect accelerometer measurements?

Supply voltage affects the output range and zero-g offset. Most accelerometers have ratiometric outputs, meaning sensitivity and offset scale with supply voltage. Stable supply voltage is crucial for accurate measurements.

What frequency range should I consider for vibration measurements?

The frequency range depends on your application. Structural vibration typically occurs below 100 Hz, machinery vibration ranges from 10-1000 Hz, while shock measurements may require bandwidth up to several kHz. You might also find our use the Strain Gauge Calculator useful.