Rocket Designer
Build your paper rocket visually — real-time stability analysis, mass budget, and Barrowman CP calculation
Live Rocket Visualization
View from nose (looking aft)
Paper body
Packing tape gloss
Electrical tape
Fins
CG center of gravity
CP center of pressure
Body Configuration
Rocket is rolled around this tube
6"24"
Computed Properties
Inner diameter (fits tube)0.840"
Wall thickness -
Outer diameter -
Paper mass -
Packing tape mass -
Nose Cone
Paper cone taped on with electrical tape. No cone = great for little kids!
2" (short)6" (tall)
010
0 g30 g (scrap paper & tape)
Computed Properties
Nose Cd contribution -
Cone height -
Cone half-angle -
Nose mass (total) -
Fin Configuration
0.5"6"
0"4"
0.1"4"
0°80°
0° no spin30° max spin
flush with tail11" (near nose)
Computed Properties
Per-fin area -
Per-fin mass -
Total fin mass -
Estimated spin -
Forward Fins (Canards)
Forward fins (canards) shift CP forward, reducing stability margin. Use sparingly - they can make the rocket less stable but more maneuverable. Not recommended for beginners.
Electrical Tape (Balance Weight)
110
Front of tubeTail end
Computed
Tape mass added -
Tape position (from front of tube) -
Electrical tape near the front of the body tube shifts CG forward, increasing stability margin.
More wraps = more mass = greater nose-heavy shift. Position is measured along the body tube only (0% = front of tube, regardless of nose cone).
Mass Budget
Total Rocket Mass
-
In ounces
-
Stability Analysis (Barrowman Method)
-
Center of Gravity from nose
-
Center of Pressure from nose
CG (blue) and CP (red) position along rocket length:
Nose tip (0")Tail end
Stability Margin
-
calibers (diameters)
Calculating…
Stability range
<0.5 unstable
0.5-1 marginal
1-3 stable
>4 overstable
Stability Advice
Adjust parameters to see stability tips.
Barrowman Component Breakdown
Nose normal force coeff (Cn) -
Nose CP from nose tip -
Fin normal force coeff (Cn) -
Fin CP from nose tip -
Total Cn -
Fin-body interference Kfb -
Aerodynamic Properties
-
Total Drag Cd
-
Est. Spin (RPM)
-
Reynolds No.
-
Nose Drag Cd
-
Body Friction Cd
-
Fin Drag Cd
Canted fins create gyroscopic spin stabilization like a rifled bullet.
Design Templates
The Dart
Minimal drag, heavy nose
The Floater
Max hang time
The Spinner
High spin stabilization
Distance King
Max horizontal range
Sky Scraper
Max altitude
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