How do I simulate a yo-yo?

Open this page and use the live Gyroscope & Precession tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a yo-yo from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Gyroscope & Precession

Gyroscope & Precession for a yo-yo

Simulate a yo-yo live in your browser. This runs the real Gyroscope & Precession solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Gyroscope & PrecessionLive

why a spinning top doesn't fall

Controls

Presets

Spin rate ω (rad/s)

Disk mass (kg)

Disk radius (m)

Pivot→CM distance (m)

Gravity applies a torque, but a fast-spinning disk responds by precessing sideways instead of toppling. Faster spin → slower precession: Ω = mgr / (Iω).

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Precession rate Ω15.70 rad/s

Precession period0.4 s

Spin inertia I6.25e-4 kg·m²

Governing equation

Ω = \frac{m g r}{I ω} = \frac{0.5 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 0.08}{I \cdot 40} = 15.70 rad/s

Reading this result: Gravity's torque never tips the top; it steers the spin axis in a circle every 0.4 s, the hallmark of gyroscopic precession.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Gyroscope & Precession tool models a yo-yo with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Gyroscope & Precession

Gyroscope & Precession for a projectile from a cannon Gyroscope & Precession for a bouncing ball Gyroscope & Precession for a pendulum clock Gyroscope & Precession for a car braking Gyroscope & Precession for a roller-coaster loop Gyroscope & Precession for a satellite orbit Gyroscope & Precession for a mass on a spring Gyroscope & Precession for a skydiver's free fall

Other ways to simulate a yo-yo

Particle / N-Body for a yo-yo Heat & Wave Fields for a yo-yo GPU Compute (WebGPU) for a yo-yo WebGPU Fluid for a yo-yo GPU N-Body for a yo-yo GPU PDE Solver for a yo-yo

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a yo-yo?: Open this page and use the live Gyroscope & Precession tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a yo-yo from your own measurements.