Hohmann Transfer Calculator

Written by Great Medico

Updated September 25, 2026 •2 min read

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Small changes can matter a lot in hohmann transfer. Orbital and stellar quantities can change by orders of magnitude, which makes a transparent equation and careful units especially useful. Use the calculator as a transparent first model, then decide whether your real system needs a more detailed treatment.

What this calculator does

Use this page to evaluate total hohmann transfer δv from Mass of primary body, Gravitational parameter, Radius of primary body. The result is most useful when the entered quantities describe one consistent physical setup and the displayed units stay attached to the number.

How to use it

Use measured, specified, or deliberately hypothetical values for Mass of primary body, Gravitational parameter, Radius of primary body, Initial orbit altitude, Initial orbit radius. Keep the quantity definitions and unit prefixes exactly as labeled; a correct number in the wrong physical quantity or prefix will still produce a misleading result.

How the calculation works

For two circular radii r1 and r2, the transfer ellipse has a = (r1+r2)/2. The first and second burns use the standard vis-viva Hohmann expressions, and total delta-v is |Δv1|+|Δv2|. Transfer time is half the ellipse period: π√(a³/μ).

Example

With the default setup (Mass of primary body = 5.972e+24 kg; Radius of primary body = 6371 km; Initial orbit altitude = 400 km; Final orbit altitude = 35786 km), the page reports total hohmann transfer δv of 3,856.524038 m/s. Treat the example as a consistency check, not a universal design target; its meaning depends on the inputs and assumptions above.

How to interpret the result

Read the total hohmann transfer δv inside the stated orbital, stellar, radiation, or cosmology model. Large differences can be physically meaningful at astronomical scales, but the number is only comparable with another case when the same assumptions and units are used.

Limitations and notes

These are idealized astrophysics or orbital relationships. Real missions and observations can require perturbations, noncircular geometry, uncertainty analysis, relativistic corrections, instrument response, and numerical propagation beyond a compact calculator. Pay particular attention to Mass of primary body, Gravitational parameter and their units. A mathematically correct result can still be incomplete when the real system includes effects not represented on the form.