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Category Car Calculators

Launch Speed

Speed at ramp exit (1–300)

Ramp Angle

Angle from horizontal (1–89°)

Ramp Height

Height of ramp exit above ground

Landing Height

same unit

Landing surface height (usually 0)

Presets:

Jump Distance — m

Airtime — seconds

Max Height — m

Landing Speed — km/h

Impact Angle — °

Risk Level —

Trajectory Peak Height Landing Point

Detailed Flight Data

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About

Launching a vehicle off a ramp involves classical projectile motion where the car becomes a ballistic object the moment tires leave the surface. The horizontal distance traveled depends on launch velocity v, ramp angle θ, and the height differential between takeoff and landing points. Miscalculating any parameter risks catastrophic structural damage to the vehicle's suspension, chassis deformation on impact, or complete loss of control during flight. Professional stunt coordinators use these calculations to position landing ramps within ±0.5m tolerance.

This calculator solves the quadratic trajectory equation accounting for gravitational acceleration g = 9.81m/s² and computes flight time, maximum height reached, horizontal distance, and critically - landing velocity and impact angle. Landing angles exceeding 45° relative to horizontal dramatically increase rollover probability. The tool assumes vacuum conditions (no air resistance) which overestimates distance by approximately 5 - 15% depending on vehicle aerodynamics and speed.

Formulas

The car's trajectory follows classical projectile motion equations. Upon leaving the ramp at velocity v and angle θ, the motion decomposes into independent horizontal and vertical components.

Velocity components at launch:

v_x = v ⋅ cos(θ)
v_y = v ⋅ sin(θ)

Vertical position as function of time:

y(t) = h₀ + v_y ⋅ t − 12 g ⋅ t²

Time of flight (solving for y = h_land):

t = v_y + √v_y² + 2g(h₀ − h_land)g

Horizontal distance traveled:

d = v_x ⋅ t

Maximum height above launch point:

h_max = h₀ + v_y²2g

Landing velocity and impact angle:

v_land = √v_x² + (v_y − gt)²
θ_impact = arctan(|v_y − gt|v_x)

Where v = launch speed, θ = ramp angle, g = 9.81m/s² (gravitational acceleration), h₀ = ramp height, h_land = landing surface height, t = time of flight, d = horizontal jump distance.

Reference Data

Vehicle Type	Typical Mass	Safe Landing Angle	Suspension Travel	Max Recommended Drop	Notes
Sedan (Stock)	1,400kg	<20°	80mm	0.5m	Stock suspension fails on hard landings
Rally Car	1,200kg	<35°	200mm	3m	Long-travel suspension, reinforced chassis
Trophy Truck	2,700kg	<45°	600mm	10m	Designed for desert jumps at high speed
Motocross Bike	110kg	<50°	330mm	15m	Rider technique critical for landing
Monster Truck	5,000kg	<30°	700mm	8m	Massive tires absorb impact energy
Stunt Car (Modified)	1,100kg	<40°	250mm	5m	Roll cage mandatory, stripped interior
SUV (Stock)	2,200kg	<15°	100mm	0.3m	High center of gravity increases rollover risk
Formula Off-Road	900kg	<50°	450mm	12m	Iceland racing spec, extreme travel
Pickup Truck (Stock)	2,500kg	<18°	90mm	0.4m	Leaf springs limit compression
Baja Bug	800kg	<40°	300mm	6m	Lightweight, rear-engine balance
Sports Car	1,500kg	<12°	60mm	0.2m	Low clearance, stiff suspension
ATV/Quad	350kg	<45°	250mm	4m	Rider weight shifts center of mass
Ramp Angle Reference
Shallow Ramp	10 - 20°		Maximum distance, low arc, requires long landing zone
Medium Ramp	25 - 35°		Balanced height and distance, common for stunts
Steep Ramp	40 - 55°		High arc, short distance, dramatic visual effect
Optimal (Vacuum)	45°		Maximum range in ideal conditions (no air resistance)
Speed Conversion Reference
30km/h	18.6mph	8.33m/s	Parking lot speed
60km/h	37.3mph	16.67m/s	Urban street speed
100km/h	62.1mph	27.78m/s	Highway speed
150km/h	93.2mph	41.67m/s	Professional stunt speed
200km/h	124.3mph	55.56m/s	High-speed record attempts

Frequently Asked Questions

The 45° optimal angle only applies when launch and landing heights are equal and air resistance is zero. When the ramp is elevated above the landing zone, shallower angles (30-40°) often yield greater horizontal distance because the projectile spends more time traveling forward during descent. Conversely, if landing on an elevated platform, steeper angles may be optimal.

For typical car shapes at stunt speeds (80-150 km/h), aerodynamic drag reduces distance by approximately 5-15% compared to vacuum calculations. Boxy vehicles like trucks experience greater drag (coefficient ~0.8-1.0) than streamlined sports cars (~0.25-0.35). At speeds above 150 km/h, drag effects become increasingly significant and may reduce distance by 20% or more.

Landing angles exceeding 20° relative to horizontal pose serious risks for stock passenger vehicles. The suspension bottoms out, potentially bending control arms and cracking subframes. Angles above 30° frequently result in bumper impact before wheel contact. Professional stunt vehicles with long-travel suspension can safely handle 35-45° impact angles, but require reinforced chassis mounting points.

First calculate the horizontal distance using this tool. Position the landing ramp's start point at approximately 90% of the calculated distance to allow safety margin. The landing ramp angle should roughly match the projectile's descent angle at that point (the impact angle shown in results). A matched angle minimizes vertical deceleration forces and allows the vehicle to transition smoothly to rolling.

In a vacuum, mass has zero effect on projectile trajectory - all objects fall at the same rate regardless of weight (Galileo's principle). However, in real conditions, heavier vehicles maintain momentum better against air resistance, potentially traveling slightly farther. The primary concern with mass is landing: heavier vehicles generate greater impact forces, requiring stiffer suspension and stronger chassis to survive.

Rotation (pitch, roll, or yaw) during flight does not affect the center-of-mass trajectory in vacuum conditions. However, rotation dramatically affects landing outcome. Forward pitch (nose down) is intentionally induced in some stunts to match landing ramp angle. Uncontrolled rotation typically results from asymmetric launch (one side leaving ramp before other) or aerodynamic forces on non-symmetric vehicles. This calculator assumes stable, non-rotating flight.