About the Stress Calculator
Stress is force spread over area — the number that decides whether a part holds or fails. Tensile and compressive stress both use σ = F/A, where A is the area carrying the load. Compare the result against your material’s yield strength to see how much margin you have.
Also known as: tensile stress, sigma calculator, stress formula, compressive stress, f/a calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Enter cross-section, applied force, yield strength (optional) and the other fields.
- The result updates instantly as you type — press Calculate (or Enter) at any time.
- Review the breakdown shown under the main result.
- Use Copy result or Share to save the answer or send a link with your inputs.
Formula
σ = F / A
- σ
- = stress in MPa (N/mm²)
- F
- = force in newtons
- A
- = cross-sectional area in mm²
Worked example
Using the values pre-filled in the calculator above:
- Cross-section: Round bar
- Applied force = 25,000 N
- Diameter = 16 mm
- Yield strength (optional) = 250 MPa
the calculator returns:
- Stress: 124.34 MPa
- In pascals: 124,339,799
- In psi: 18,034
- Cross-sectional area: 201.062 mm²