Editing Thrust-to-weight ratio (section)

{{Short description|Dimensionless ratio of thrust to weight of a jet or propeller engine}}
'''Thrust-to-weight ratio''' is a [[dimensionless quantity|dimensionless]] ratio of [[thrust]] to [[weight]] of a [[rocket]], [[jet engine]], [[Propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] engine, or a vehicle propelled by such an engine that is an indicator of the performance of the engine or vehicle.

The instantaneous thrust-to-weight ratio of a vehicle varies continually during operation due to progressive consumption of fuel or [[propellant]] and in some cases a [[gravity gradient]].  The thrust-to-weight ratio based on initial thrust and weight is often published and used as a [[figure of merit]] for quantitative comparison of a vehicle's initial performance.