Godot Physics (4.x, 2D + 3D)

Pick the right physics body, wire up collision layers/masks, detect overlaps, and cast rays. Concepts apply to both 2D and 3D (swap the 2D/3D suffix). Targets Godot 4.7. In 3D, projects created with Godot 4.6 or later run Jolt Physics by default; older projects keep GodotPhysics3D unless someone switched them. 2D always uses Godot's own 2D engine.

When to use

• Use when choosing between body types, setting collision layers/masks so the right things collide, detecting overlaps (triggers, hurtboxes) with Area, applying forces/impulses to a RigidBody, or casting rays for line-of-sight/ground checks.

When not to use: kinematic character controllers (move_and_slide) → godot-2d-movement; tile collision setup → godot-tilemap; tuning the feel of physics (timestep, mass, jitter) → physics-tuning.

Core workflow