Thermal Expansion Calculator
Find how much a material expands when heated, from its length and coefficient of thermal expansion.
Inputs
Saved Scenarios
— select 2+ to compare| Metric | |
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Length Change (mm)
6.00
Spark says
How it's calculated
Formula
- L
- — Original length
- \alpha
- — Coefficient of linear thermal expansion
- \Delta T
- — Temperature change
What is the Thermal Expansion Calculator?
Most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled, roughly proportional to their original length, the temperature change, and a material-specific expansion coefficient — a key consideration for expansion joints in bridges, railways, and pipelines.
How to use it
- 1 Enter the material's original length.
- 2 Choose the material (or enter its known expansion coefficient).
- 3 Enter the expected temperature change.
Worked examples
Limitations
- •This is linear expansion along one dimension — for large temperature swings or precision work, expansion coefficients themselves vary somewhat with temperature.
Frequently asked questions
Why do bridges have expansion joints?
A long bridge deck can change length by several centimeters between summer and winter — expansion joints absorb this movement so the structure isn't forced to buckle or crack.