---
name: "gmx-potential"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "gromacs-data"
version: "2025.2-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gmx-potential"
---

# gmx-potential(1)

Calculate the electrostatic potential across the box

## NAME

gmx-potential - Calculate the electrostatic potential across the box

## SYNOPSIS

```
gmx potential [-f [<.xtc/.trr/...>]] [-n [<.ndx>]] [-s [<.tpr>]]
             [-o [<.xvg>]] [-oc [<.xvg>]] [-of [<.xvg>]] [-b <time>]
             [-e <time>] [-dt <time>] [-[no]w] [-xvg <enum>]
             [-d <string>] [-sl <int>] [-cb <int>] [-ce <int>]
             [-tz <real>] [-[no]spherical] [-ng <int>] [-[no]center]
             [-[no]symm] [-[no]correct]
```

## DESCRIPTION

**gmx potential** computes the electrostatical potential across the box. The potential is calculated by first summing the charges per slice and then integrating twice of this charge distribution. Periodic boundaries are not taken into account. Reference of potential is taken to be the left side of the box. It is also possible to calculate the potential in spherical coordinates as function of r by calculating a charge distribution in spherical slices and twice integrating them. epsilon\_r is taken as 1, but 2 is more appropriate in many cases.

Option **-center** performs the histogram binning and potential calculation relative to the center of an arbitrary group, in absolute box coordinates. If you are calculating profiles along the Z axis box dimension bZ, output would be from -bZ/2 to bZ/2 if you center based on the entire system. Option **-symm** symmetrizes the output around the center. This will automatically turn on **-center** too.

## OPTIONS

Options to specify input files:

- **-f \[\<.xtc/.trr/...\>\] (traj.xtc)**

  Trajectory: *xtc* *trr* *cpt* *gro* *g96* *pdb* *tng*

- **-n \[\<.ndx\>\] (index.ndx)**

  Index file

- **-s \[\<.tpr\>\] (topol.tpr)**

  Portable xdr run input file

Options to specify output files:

- **-o \[\<.xvg\>\] (potential.xvg)**

  xvgr/xmgr file

- **-oc \[\<.xvg\>\] (charge.xvg)**

  xvgr/xmgr file

- **-of \[\<.xvg\>\] (field.xvg)**

  xvgr/xmgr file

Other options:

- **-b \<time\> (0)**

  Time of first frame to read from trajectory (default unit ps)

- **-e \<time\> (0)**

  Time of last frame to read from trajectory (default unit ps)

- **-dt \<time\> (0)**

  Only use frame when t MOD dt = first time (default unit ps)

- **-\[no\]w (no)**

  View output *.xvg*, *.xpm*, *.eps* and *.pdb* files

- **-xvg \<enum\> (xmgrace)**

  xvg plot formatting: xmgrace, xmgr, none

- **-d \<string\> (Z)**

  Take the normal on the membrane in direction X, Y or Z.

- **-sl \<int\> (10)**

  Calculate potential as function of boxlength, dividing the box in this number of slices.

- **-cb \<int\> (0)**

  Discard this number of  first slices of box for integration

- **-ce \<int\> (0)**

  Discard this number of last slices of box for integration

- **-tz \<real\> (0)**

  Translate all coordinates by this distance in the direction of the box

- **-\[no\]spherical (no)**

  Calculate in spherical coordinates

- **-ng \<int\> (1)**

  Number of groups to consider

- **-\[no\]center (no)**

  Perform the binning relative to the center of the (changing) box. Useful for bilayers.

- **-\[no\]symm (no)**

  Symmetrize the density along the axis, with respect to the center. Useful for bilayers.

- **-\[no\]correct (no)**

  Assume net zero charge of groups to improve accuracy

## KNOWN ISSUES

- •

  Discarding slices for integration should not be necessary.

## SEE ALSO

**[gmx(1)](/gmx/1.md)**

More information about GROMACS is available at \<*http://www.gromacs.org/*\>.

## COPYRIGHT

2025, GROMACS development team