Recoil Energy Calculator

Estimate firearm recoil velocity and energy.

Firearm mass

Bullet mass

Muzzle velocity

Recoil velocity 2.307

Recoil energy (J) 9.315

Formula: Momentum conservation: m_gun·v_gun = m_bullet·v_bullet

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Firearm mass = 3.5

3. Bullet mass = 9.5

4. Muzzle velocity = 850

6. Recoil velocity = 2.307

7. Recoil energy = 9.315J

Did we solve your problem today?

Recoil comes from conservation of momentum: the gun moves back as the bullet moves forward.

The math behind it

m_gun·v_gun = m_bullet·v_bullet, so v_gun = m_bullet·v_bullet ÷ m_gun. Recoil energy is ½·m_gun·v_gun².

3.5 kg gun, 9.5 g bullet at 850 m/s → recoil ≈ 2.31 m/s, ~9.3 J.

Why does a heavier gun recoil less?

The same momentum spread over more mass gives a lower recoil velocity.