Compression Spring Calculator (Load Based Design
Compression Spring Calculator (Load Based Design
The Compression spring calculator has been developed to Beam Deflection Calculators
calculate compression springs design parameters with the
Engineering Unit Converter
knowledge of design type (one load & free height, one load &
spring rate, two loads), compression spring wire diameter,
Fastener Dimensions
spring diameter, spring free height, loads at specific heights,
compression spring end type and material selection. Material Hertzian Contact Calculator
selection of compression springs can be done from listed
spring steels including music wire, stainless steel wire, Keys and Keyseats
chrome vanadium, etc. Calculation results generated by the
Limits, Fits and Tolerances
compression springs calculator are solid height, torsional
shear stress at solid height, factor of safety against yielding,
Material Properties
buckling check, spring outer diameter expansion, load-
deflection curve, stressdeflection curve, spring index. Mechanical Springs
This calculator can be used to design statically loaded compression springs. For compression springs which work
Screw Thread Calculators
under cyclic loading, first use this calculator for the sizing according to static loading and then visit "Critical
Frequency of Helical Springs" and "Stress Analysis of Coil Compression Springs for Fatigue Loading" calculators to Sectional Properties Calculator
check the compression spring design against cyclic loading.
Stress Concentration Factors
The formulas and parameters used in the calculator are given in the "Supplements " section of this page.
Stress/Strain Analysis
Note: This calculator was developed by mainly using Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design book. If further
information on the subject is needed, this reference source can be used. Structural Analysis of Beams
Tooling Calculators
Calculator:
Vibration Calculators
COMPRESSION SPRINGS
INPUT PARAMETERS
An Example on Spring Design
One Load & Free Height
Design Type One Load & Spring Rate
Two Loads EXTENSION SPRINGS
DIMENSIONAL PARAMETERS
Dimensional Spring Design
Parameter Symbol Value Unit
Analysis for Static Loading
Wire diameter d
Analysis for Fatigue Loading
Height 1 L1
Height 2 L2
Load 1 @ height 1 F1
Load 2 @ height 2 F2
Spring rate k
End condition*
Note 1 : x Spring material properties are from Ref-2 except "User defined" selection.
Note 2 : + Equals maximum allowable torsional stress in static applications. See supplements for reference
values.
Note 3 : * Ends supported by flat surfaces must be squared and ground [Ref-2] .
RESULTS
DIMENSIONAL PARAMETERS
Spring index C* 9
Spring rate k 2
Modulus of rigidity G 80
Note 1 : * The preferred spring index range is 4 to 12 according to [Ref-1] . Compression springs with high
indexes tangle and may require individual packaging, especially if the ends are not squared. Springs with
indexes lower than 4 are difficult to form [Ref-1] .
Note 2 : ** According to no yielding assumption and Lf length shall be same after loading.
Note 3 : *** Does not include the effect if the spring ends are allowed to unwind.
Note 4 : + Shall be larger than the design factor for buckling (nb fosb )
Note 5 : # Shall be larger than the design factor at solid height (ns foss )
Note 1 : The load deflection curve for helical compression springs is essentially a straight line up to the elastic
limit, provided that the amount of active material is constant. The initial spring rate and the rate as the spring
approaches solid often deviate from the average calculated rate. When it is necessary to specify a rate, it
should be specified between two test heights which lie within 15 to 85 % of the full deflection range. [From
Ref-1]
Definitions:
Link Usage
Supplements:
Link Usage
Spring Steels for Coil Springs List of spring steel materials given in the calculator.
End Condition Constants For Helical End condition constants for helical compression spring
Compression Spring Stability Analysis stability and buckling analysis.
Reference: