Circular Orbital Velocity Calculator
Calculate ideal circular-orbit speed, centripetal acceleration and specific orbital energy.
What would you like to do next?
Calculate speed for an ideal circular orbit
Enter central-body mass and orbital radius measured from its center. The calculator reports circular speed, the matching centripetal acceleration and specific orbital energy. These three outputs connect the force, motion and energy views of the same ideal orbit and help users distinguish orbital radius from altitude above a surface before comparing a textbook case or approximate satellite condition.
Use a two-body circular approximation deliberately
The orbiting mass is assumed negligible relative to the central body, and the path is perfectly circular under Newtonian point-mass gravity. Atmosphere, oblateness, third bodies, thrust and perturbations are excluded. Elliptical orbits have changing speed and use different state information. Use validated astrodynamics tools and current body parameters for navigation or mission design.
Frequently asked questions
Is orbital radius the same as altitude?
No. Radius is measured from the central-body center and includes surface radius.
Why is centripetal acceleration shown?
Gravity supplies that acceleration in the ideal circular orbit.
Can this calculate an elliptical orbit?
No. Elliptical speed varies with position and requires a different relationship.