Engineering Reference Tool

Hardness Calculator

Calculate Brinell, Vickers and Micro-Vickers hardness values from indentation measurements, or estimate the expected indentation size from a known hardness and test load.

This calculator is provided for engineering reference. Final test results should be verified using the applicable test method, calibrated equipment and approved operating procedure.

Brinell Vickers & Micro-Vickers

Brinell Test Geometry

The steel ball indenter is pressed into the surface under a known load, and the resulting indentation is measured across its diameter.

HBW = 2F ÷ [πD (D − √(D² − d²))]

F: Applied test load
D: Ball indenter diameter
d1: First indentation diameter reading
d2: Second indentation diameter reading, optional
d: Mean diameter, used when two readings are entered

Brinell Workspace

Brinell Hardness Calculator

Calculate HBW from indentation diameter or estimate the expected indentation diameter from a known hardness value.

Calculation Direction

Calculate Hardness Calculate Diameter

Test Setup

Test Load F, applied test force Load Unit Ball Diameter D, indenter ball diameter Diameter Unit

Indentation Diameter 1 d1, first reading

Indentation Diameter 2 d2, optional second reading

Load a worked example:

Engineering reference only. Verify final test results with calibrated equipment, the applicable test method and the approved operating procedure.

Vickers Indentation Geometry

A 136° diamond pyramid is pressed into the surface under a known load, and the square indentation is measured across both diagonals.

HV = 1.8544F ÷ d²

F: Applied test load
d1: First indentation diagonal
d2: Second indentation diagonal, optional
d: Mean diagonal, used when two readings are entered

Micro-Vickers uses the same hardness formula with lower test loads and correspondingly smaller indentation diagonals.

Vickers Workspace

Vickers & Micro-Vickers Calculator

Calculate HV from one or two indentation diagonals, or estimate the expected diagonal from a known hardness and test load.

Test Method

Vickers Micro-Vickers

Calculation Direction

Calculate Hardness Calculate Diagonal

Vickers mode uses the standard HV formula with conventional test loads.

Measurement Inputs

Test Load F, applied test force Load Unit

Diagonal 1 d1, first diagonal

Diagonal 2 d2, optional second diagonal

Diagonal Unit

Load a worked example:

Engineering reference only. Do not use this page as a test certificate or calibration certificate. Verify final results with calibrated equipment and the approved operating procedure.