Science
What is Lever?
A lever is a simple machine made of a stiff bar that pivots around a fixed point called a fulcrum. By pushing down on one end, you can lift a heavy load on the other — trading a longer push for greater lifting force. Seesaws, scissors, and crowbars are all levers.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains lever.
Key things to understand
- 1A lever has three parts: the fulcrum (pivot), the effort (force you apply), and the load (what you move).
- 2Pushing far from the fulcrum lets a small effort lift a large load — that's the lever's mechanical advantage.
- 3There are three classes of lever, depending on where the fulcrum, effort, and load sit.
- 4Everyday levers include seesaws, crowbars, bottle openers, scissors, and even your forearm.
- 5The longer the effort arm compared with the load arm, the more force the lever multiplies.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a lever make work easier?
- By letting you apply a smaller force over a longer distance. Pushing far from the fulcrum multiplies your force, so a little effort can move a heavy load.
- What is the fulcrum?
- The fixed pivot point that a lever turns around. Where the fulcrum sits relative to the effort and load decides how much the lever multiplies your force.
- What are examples of levers?
- Seesaws, crowbars, scissors, bottle openers, wheelbarrows, and pliers — and biologically, your forearm acts as a lever pivoting at the elbow.