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For a real scalar field with Lagrangian density $\mathcal{L}={\dot{\varphi }}^2/2-|\nabla \varphi {|}^2/2-V(\varphi )$, the canonical momentum is $\pi =\dot{\varphi }$. Its Hamiltonian density is the sum of momentum energy, gradient energy and potential energy. Hamilton's equations recover the Euler-Lagrange equation.

A Hamiltonian density is a local integrand for the field-theory Hamiltonian. For canonical fields with invertible velocity-momentum relation it is the Legendre transform in mechanics of the Lagrangian density, summing over all conjugate field components. Gauge theories require constraints and multiplier terms as well.