How a lever balances forces
A lever balances when the torque from the load equals the torque from the effort: Load Force × Load Arm = Effort Force × Effort Arm. Rearranging gives the effort force needed: Effort = (Load × Load Arm) / Effort Arm.
How this calculator works
Enter the load force you need to move, the distance from the pivot (fulcrum) to the load, and the distance from the pivot to where you apply effort. The calculator solves for the effort force required to balance the lever, and reports the mechanical advantage — the ratio of effort arm to load arm — which shows how much the lever multiplies your force.
A mechanical advantage greater than 1 means the lever lets you lift a heavier load with less force, at the cost of moving your end of the lever a greater distance. This calculator is for general educational and planning purposes.