Britannica Sources used in this answer

What are the six types of simple machines?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A diagram displays six types of simple machines with labeled illustrations: inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, wheel and axle, and pulley, each shown with real-world examples like ramps, axes, screws, seesaws, door handles, and pulleys lifting objects. — simple machine Six simple machines for transforming energy into work.

Simple machines are elementary mechanisms that modify motion and the magnitude of a force to perform work. They are defined as having few or no moving parts and are considered the fundamental building blocks from which more complex machines are composed.12

The six types of simple machines are:

Inclined plane: A sloping surface used to raise heavy objects with less force than would be required to lift them vertically.1
Lever: A bar or board resting on a support called a fulcrum, used to transfer and increase force.1
Wedge: An object tapering to a thin edge, used for splitting, lifting, or tightening.1
Wheel and axle: A circular frame (the wheel) that revolves on a shaft or rod (the axle) to amplify force.1
Pulley: A wheel with a grooved rim that carries a rope or cable, used to transmit energy and motion.1
Screw: A cylindrical member with a continuous helical rib, used as a fastener or a force and motion modifier.1