Explore the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator
Shift through the gears of a gearbox and see the gear pair, engine rpm, wheel speed, torque and speedometer. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator?
Shift through the gears of a gearbox and see the gear pair, engine rpm, wheel speed, torque and speedometer. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Every car, bicycle, wind turbine and machine tool uses gear ratios to trade speed against torque.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Gear ratio = teeth on output gear ÷ teeth on input gear.
A low gear multiplies torque but reduces speed.
A high gear gives more speed but less torque.
Accelerate in 1st gear, then shift up.
Compare torque at the wheels in 1st and 5th.
Put it in neutral and rev the engine.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Engineering learners
Engineering and technology students, makers, robotics clubs and teachers of design and technology.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Compare torque at the wheels in 1st and 5th. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why do cars have several gears?
The engine works best in a narrow rpm range, so different gear ratios let the car cover a wide range of speeds and torques.
What is a gear ratio?
The number of turns of the input shaft needed for one turn of the output shaft.
Is the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator free to use?
Yes. The Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Engineering group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator?
1. In the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator, use the controls to change How do you want to drive?, Cruise throttle (foot stays down), Gear (or drag the shifter), Clutch (full manual only), Final drive ratio, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator, pick an option such as Auto: just use the pedals, I shift (clutch is automatic), Full manual (I use the clutch), N to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator, press "GAShold", "BRAKEhold", "CLUTCHhold", "◀ Shift down" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Accelerate in 1st gear, then shift up. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Gear ratio = teeth on output gear ÷ teeth on input gear.
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Try the Car Transmission & Gear Ratio Simulator now
Shift through the gears of a gearbox and see the gear pair, engine rpm, wheel speed. Free to use.
Try it free