HomeCalculatorsPhysicsPlane Centroid Calculator
Physics calculator

Plane Centroid Calculator

Centroid of composite plane areas from each part's area and centroid. Negative area is a hole. Runs locally. Not a moment of inertia and not a beam calculator.

Instant result
Result

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs
Mode
Formula
Trust summary Engine tested · Source checked · 6/6 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · v1.0.0
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
Model
Centroid of a composite plane area from part areas and part centroids.
Scope
Calculation runs locally in the browser; values are not uploaded.
Verification
Engine tested · 6/6 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · Source checked · v1.0.0
Named expert review
Optional · Not performed
Sources
  • Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics — Center of gravity and centroid
Sources
Evidence
2 golden · 4 boundary · Production surface contract 6/6 · Artifact integrity PASS
Production
Embedded snapshot: unpublished · Build schema 1.0.0 ready · Semantic contract ✓ · Attestation report not published on origin · Live production status STALE (3 capabilities; 189 remain CURRENT) @ 2026-09-23T10:40:38.140Z
Semantic contract
PASS

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

Centroidx̄ = Σ(A x) / ΣA, ȳ = Σ(A y) / ΣA
iA negative area removes a hole. This page is not a moment of inertia and not beam deflection.

How to use

1

Enter each part as A, x, y

One part per row, separated by semicolons. x and y are that part's own centroid.

2

Use a negative area for a hole

The hole's x and y are the centroid of the removed area.

3

Read the composite centroid

The result is the first-moment average. Total area must not be zero.

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

Two equal areas

Area 2 at the origin and area 2 at x = 4

x̄ = (0 + 8) / 4
x̄ = 2
ϟ

Hole

Area 4 at the origin minus area 2 at x = 3

x̄ = (0 − 6) / 2
x̄ = −3

Plane Centroid calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence

Definition
Plane centroid of signed areas. x̄ = Σ(A x) / ΣA and ȳ = Σ(A y) / ΣA. x and y are the centroid of each part.
What it calculates
Centroid of a composite plane area from part areas and part centroids.
Inputs
  • parts
Outputs
  • area
  • x_bar
  • y_bar
Formula
x̄ = Σ(A x) / ΣA, ȳ = Σ(A y) / ΣA
Assumptions
  • Calculation runs locally in the browser; values are not uploaded.
  • Keep units consistent with the labels on each field.
  • A negative area removes a hole. This page is not a moment of inertia and not beam deflection.
Units
  • Area and position stay in one consistent unit system. A negative area is a hole.
Boundary conditions
  • no parts → MISSING_REQUIRED_INPUT
  • a row that is not A,x,y → INVALID_INPUT
  • total area zero → INVALID_INPUT
Example
2,0,0; 2,4,0 → x̄ = 2
Validation cases

3 published on this page · 6/6 tests · Production surface contract 6/6 · View evidence

  • parts=2,0,0; 2,4,0 → area=4, x_bar=2, y_bar=0
  • parts=4,0,0; -2,3,0 → area=2, x_bar=-3
  • parts=1,0,0; -1,2,0 → INVALID_INPUT
Sources
  • Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics — Center of gravity and centroid
    Supports: x̄ = Σ(A x)/ΣA and ȳ = Σ(A y)/ΣA for a composite plane area
Calculation version
1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Find the centroid of a composite plane area from each part's area and centroid.

Supported and not supported

Supported: signed plane areas, including a hole entered as a negative area.

Not supported: moment of inertia, radius of gyration, section modulus, beam deflection, and mass properties. /calc/mechanical is not open.

Other calculators in this family: Planar equilibrium, Area moment, Vector .

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Does this compute a moment of inertia?

No. It returns the centroid of signed plane areas. Area moments of inertia, radius of gyration, and section modulus are out of scope.

Where does the sum run?

Locally. The first-moment vector calls the vector engine. This page does not contain a second adder.