Elongation Calculator
Calculate how much a material stretches (elongates) under an applied tensile load using its length, cross-section, and elastic modulus.
What elongation measures
Elongation is how much a material stretches when a tensile (pulling) force is applied along its length. This is a fundamental concept in mechanics of materials and structural engineering.
The formula
Within the elastic (non-permanent deformation) range, elongation is calculated as ΔL = FL / (AE), where F is the applied force, L is the original length, A is the cross-sectional area, and E is the material’s Young’s modulus (a measure of stiffness). Stress is F/A and strain is ΔL/L.
This formula assumes the material stays within its elastic limit; beyond the yield point, materials deform permanently and this linear formula no longer applies.