Time of Flight Calculator

Time of flight in physics refers to the total duration a projectile remains in the air from the moment it is launched until it lands on the ground. It depends on the initial vertical velocity, the launch height, and the gravitational acceleration acting on the object. See also our Quarter Mile Calculator.

For a projectile launched from the ground, the time of flight is T = (2 × V₀ × sin(α)) / g, where V₀ is the initial velocity, α is the launch angle, and g is gravitational acceleration. When launched from a height y₀ above the ground, the formula becomes T = (V₀y + √(V₀y² + 2gy₀)) / g, where V₀y = V₀ × sin(α).

Enter the initial velocity, launch angle, and initial height into the calculator above. The tool applies the kinematic equations of projectile motion to solve for the total flight time, as well as the maximum height and horizontal range achieved by the projectile.

In projectile motion, time of flight is the time elapsed from when the projectile is launched to when it hits the ground. It is determined entirely by the vertical component of motion — gravity pulls the object downward until it reaches the ground level, regardless of the horizontal velocity. You might also find our Horizontal Range — Horizontal Projectile Motion useful.

Yes. A steeper launch angle increases the vertical component of velocity, causing the projectile to reach a greater height and therefore spend more time in the air. A 90° angle (straight up) maximizes flight time for a given speed when launched from the ground, while a 0° angle (horizontal) minimizes it.

Launching from a greater height increases the time of flight because the projectile must travel further downward before reaching the ground. Even when the vertical velocity component brings the projectile back to the launch height, it still has additional distance to fall.

A time of flight (ToF) sensor is an electronic device that measures the time it takes for a signal — typically light or sound — to travel to a target and return. By knowing the signal's speed, the device calculates the distance to the object. These sensors are used in cameras, robotics, LiDAR systems, and smartphones for depth sensing.

No. In idealized projectile motion (ignoring air resistance), the horizontal velocity has no effect on time of flight. Only the vertical component of the initial velocity, the initial height, and gravity determine how long the projectile stays in the air.