Free Body Diagram Maker
Generate a labeled force diagram from plain text
Describe your object and the forces acting on it, and AI draws a clean free body diagram with labeled vectors for gravity, normal force, friction, tension, and applied forces — ready for physics homework, problem sets, and lab reports.
Free body diagram examples
Click any example to load its prompt, or use it as a starting point for your own force diagram.
What does this free body diagram maker do?
It converts a plain-text description of a physical situation into a clean, labeled free body diagram (FBD) — the standard physics tool for isolating an object and showing every force acting on it as an arrow (vector). You describe the object and its forces, and the AI renders each force as a proportional, labeled arrow pointing in the correct direction, so you get a textbook-quality FBD without opening drawing software.
Why use a free body diagram generator
- Free body diagrams are the foundation of Newtonian mechanics — every physics course from high school through university requires them.
- Drawing accurate, proportional vectors by hand or in generic tools is slow and error-prone.
- A well-labeled FBD makes it immediately clear which forces balance and which produce net acceleration.
- Students and tutors need quick, presentable diagrams for problem sets, slides, and study guides.
- Regenerating from text is far faster than adjusting arrow lengths and labels every time the scenario changes.
How to make a free body diagram
Identify the object of interest and mentally isolate it from its surroundings. List every force acting directly on that object — gravity (weight), normal force from any surface, friction, tension from strings or ropes, applied forces, and any field forces such as buoyancy. Give each force a direction and, if known, a magnitude. Describe these in your prompt, generate the diagram, then verify that every arrow points in the physically correct direction and the labels match your problem values.
Parts of a free body diagram
- Object — represented as a dot or simple box at the center of the diagram.
- Weight (Fg) — gravitational force vector pointing straight downward, magnitude mg.
- Normal force (FN) — contact force perpendicular to the supporting surface, pointing away from it.
- Friction (Ff) — surface contact force parallel to the surface, opposing relative motion or impending motion.
- Tension (T) — pulling force along a string, rope, or cable, directed away from the object toward the anchor.
- Applied force (Fa) — any external push or pull; labeled with its direction and magnitude.
Free Body Diagram Maker FAQ
What is a free body diagram?
A free body diagram (FBD) is a simplified drawing that isolates a single object and shows all the external forces acting on it as labeled arrows (vectors). It is the primary tool for applying Newton's laws to real situations.
What forces are typically shown in an FBD?
The most common forces are weight (gravity), normal force, static or kinetic friction, tension, and applied forces. For fluids, buoyancy and drag are also included. Only forces acting ON the chosen object appear — never forces the object exerts on others.
How do I decompose forces on an inclined plane?
Describe the ramp angle and the AI will resolve gravity into a component parallel to the slope (causing acceleration down the ramp) and a component perpendicular to the slope (balanced by the normal force). Specifying 'inclined at 30°' is enough.
Can I show net force or acceleration on the diagram?
Yes — mention in your prompt that you want a net force arrow or an acceleration indicator, and the AI will add it. By convention, the net force arrow is often shown slightly separated from the FBD object or drawn with a double line.
Is it suitable for AP Physics or college mechanics courses?
Yes. It produces clean, labeled free body diagrams suitable for homework, exams, and presentations. Always verify the force directions and magnitudes against your own problem setup before submitting.
Is it free?
Each generation uses a small number of credits. New accounts receive free credits, so you can create a free body diagram without any subscription.
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