OneTool

Differential Drive Kinematics Calculator

v, ω ↔ wheel speeds for a two-wheel differential base.

Mode
Length unit
Angular unit

Body linear v

0.5 m/s

Body angular ω

0.2 rad/s

11.459 deg/s

Left wheel

0.484 m/s

142.2 RPM

Right wheel

0.516 m/s

151.6 RPM

What is this tool?

For an ideal differential drive, v = (vr + vl)/2 and ω = (vr − vl)/L where L is track width and wheel speeds are tangential. The inverse assigns left/right speeds from desired body motion. Slip, scrubbing, and non-ideal geometry are ignored.

How to use it

  1. Enter wheel diameter and track width.
  2. Convert body velocities to wheel speeds, or the reverse.
  3. Use results as a starting kinematic model only.