In animation, an algorithm that provides the motor intelligence required by IK handles. For example, IK solvers figure out how to rotate all the joints in a joint chain that is controlled by an IK handle.

IK solvers available from the Maya interface include the IK single chain solver, the IK rotate plane (RP) solver, and the spline IK solver. Additionally, the IK multi-chain (MC) solver and the IK Power Animator (PA) solver are available through MEL commands only.