Pulley System Simulator
Pull the rope, see how more rope strands cut the force you need but lengthen the pull.
Drag the rope handle down to lift the load. Change the number of strands and feel the force drop.
About the Pulley System Simulator
Free pulley simulator. Choose the number of supporting rope strands, drag the rope to lift a load, and see the force needed, distance pulled, work done and efficiency. Built for engineering, the pulley system simulator runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Pull the rope, see how more rope strands cut the force you need but lengthen the pull. Use it to explore engineering ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Pulley System Simulator
- Use the controls to change Supporting rope strands, Load mass, Friction loss, Rope. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as Hold (lock), Let go (load falls) to switch modes or load an example.
- Press "Lower the load" to start, reset or change what is happening.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Set 4 strands, then drag the rope handle down and read the effort force.
- Compare the distance you pull with how far the load rises.
- Add friction and see the efficiency drop.
- Raise the load to its limit to see the maximum lift.
Key ideas you can learn
- With n supporting strands the ideal effort force is load ÷ n.
- You pull n times as much rope as the load rises, so the work stays the same.
- Friction lowers the efficiency, so the real effort is a bit bigger than ideal.
Where this is used in the real world
Pulleys lift loads on cranes, sailboats, elevators and construction sites. The block and tackle multiplies force so people can move heavy loads.
Who is this simulation for?
Engineering and technology students, makers, robotics clubs and teachers of design and technology. It gives a hands-on feel for how machines behave before you build a real one.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is mechanical advantage?
The factor by which a machine multiplies your force. For an ideal pulley system it equals the number of rope strands supporting the load.
Do pulleys reduce the work needed?
No. They reduce the force but you pull a longer distance, so the work (force × distance) is the same in an ideal system.
Is the Pulley System Simulator free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Pulley System Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.