Speed Converter
Convert between different units of speed with step-by-step explanations.
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Quick Conversion Table
Common speed references for quick lookup
| Unit | m/s | km/h | mph | ft/s | knots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m/s | 1 | 3.6 | 2.24 | 3.28 | 1.94 |
| 1 km/h | 0.278 | 1 | 0.621 | 0.911 | 0.540 |
| 1 mph | 0.447 | 1.61 | 1 | 1.47 | 0.868 |
| 1 ft/s | 0.305 | 1.10 | 0.682 | 1 | 0.593 |
| 1 knot | 0.514 | 1.85 | 1.15 | 1.69 | 1 |
| Walking Speed | 1.4 | 5.0 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 2.7 |
| Running Speed | 5.0 | 18 | 11.2 | 16.4 | 9.7 |
| Highway Speed | 28 | 100 | 62 | 92 | 54 |
| Sound Speed | 343 | 1,235 | 767 | 1,125 | 667 |
💡 Tip: The highlighted rows show key reference points - m/s (blue), mph (green), knot (orange), highway speed (red), and sound speed (yellow) for quick reference. Bold values show when units equal themselves.
Understanding Speed Conversions
A Comprehensive Guide to Velocity and Speed Measurements
Speed conversion is essential in transportation, sports, science, and everyday life. Whether you're calculating vehicle speeds, athletic performance, wind speeds, or scientific measurements, understanding how to convert between different speed units is crucial. This guide will help you master speed conversions across all scales.
Metric System
Convert between meters per second, kilometers per hour, and other metric units. Based on decimal system for easy calculations.
Imperial System
Work with miles per hour, feet per second, and other imperial units. Common in US transportation and sports.
Specialized Units
Convert between knots, Mach numbers, and other specialized speed units for aviation and marine applications.
Cross-System Conversion
Convert between metric and imperial systems. Essential for international transportation and scientific work.
Aviation & Marine
Work with knots, Mach numbers, and other specialized units for aviation, marine, and meteorological applications.
Scientific Units
Convert between meters per second, speed of light fractions, and other scientific speed measurements.
Master Speed Conversions with Real Examples
Learn step-by-step how to convert between different speed units with practical examples from transportation, sports, and science
1. Metric System Conversions
Metric Conversion = Value × Conversion Factor
Example: 50 km/h to m/s → 50 ÷ 3.6 = 13.89 m/s
Key Factor: 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h, 1 km/h = 0.278 m/s
Remember: km/h to m/s divide by 3.6, m/s to km/h multiply by 3.6
Purpose:
Converts between metric speed units using decimal factors.
“How many meters per second is 72 km/h?”
Benefits:
Used in science, engineering, and most countries worldwide. Systematic decimal-based system with logical relationships.
Steps:
1. Identify the conversion factor (e.g., km/h to m/s is ÷3.6)
2. Apply the conversion factor
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 72 km/h to m/s
Calculation: 72 ÷ 3.6 = 20
Result: 20 m/s
Result:
72 km/h = 20 m/s
Example:
“A car traveling at 100 km/h is moving at 27.8 m/s or about 28 meters per second.”
2. Imperial System Conversions
Imperial Conversion = Value × Conversion Factor
Example: 60 mph to ft/s → 60 × 1.467 = 88 ft/s
Key Factor: 1 mph = 1.467 ft/s, 1 ft/s = 0.682 mph
Essential for US transportation and sports measurements
Purpose:
Converts between imperial speed units using specific factors.
“How many feet per second is 45 mph?”
Benefits:
Common in US transportation, sports, and everyday speed measurements. Based on traditional measurements.
Steps:
1. Identify the conversion factor (e.g., mph to ft/s is ×1.467)
2. Multiply your value by the factor
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 45 mph to ft/s
Calculation: 45 × 1.467 = 66.015
Result: 66.02 ft/s
Result:
45 mph = 66.02 ft/s
Example:
“A baseball pitch at 90 mph is traveling at about 132 ft/s.”
3. Metric ↔ Imperial Conversions
Cross-System = Value × Exact Conversion Factor
Example: 100 km/h to mph → 100 × 0.621 = 62.1 mph
Key Factors: 1 mph = 1.609 km/h, 1 km/h = 0.621 mph
These are exact definitions used internationally
Purpose:
Converts between metric and imperial speed systems.
“How many mph is 120 km/h?”
Benefits:
Essential for international travel, automotive specifications, and working with global speed limits.
Steps:
1. Use exact conversion factor (e.g., 1 km/h = 0.621 mph)
2. Multiply your value by the factor
3. Add the correct unit to your result
Example: 120 km/h to mph
Calculation: 120 × 0.621 = 74.52
Result: 74.52 mph
Result:
120 km/h = 74.52 mph
Example:
“A highway speed limit of 70 mph equals about 113 km/h.”
4. Aviation & Marine Conversions
Specialized Conversion = Value × Specialized Factor
Example: 100 knots to km/h → 100 × 1.852 = 185.2 km/h
Key Factors: 1 knot = 1.852 km/h, 1 Mach ≈ 1235 km/h
Essential for aviation, marine navigation, and meteorology
Purpose:
Converts between specialized speed units for aviation and marine use.
“How many km/h is 250 knots?”
Benefits:
Essential for aviation, marine navigation, weather reporting, and understanding aircraft/ship specifications.
Steps:
1. Identify the specialized conversion factor (e.g., knots to km/h is ×1.852)
2. Apply the conversion factor
3. Verify with aviation/marine standards
Example: 250 knots to km/h
Calculation: 250 × 1.852 = 463
Result: 463 km/h
Result:
250 knots = 463 km/h
Example:
“A commercial aircraft cruising at 500 knots is traveling at 926 km/h or about 575 mph.”
Tips & Best Practices for Speed Conversions
Always check your units: km/h ↔ m/s (÷3.6 or ×3.6), mph ↔ ft/s (×1.467 or ÷1.467)
Remember the direction of conversion and use the correct factor.
Use dimensional analysis: (60 mph) × (1.609 km/h per mph) = 96.54 km/h
Write out units to ensure they cancel correctly and avoid mistakes.
Essential Tips:
- • Memorize key conversion factors (3.6, 1.609, 1.852)
- • Remember speed = distance ÷ time
- • Always include units in your calculations
- • Round appropriately based on measurement precision
- • Double-check direction of conversion
Best Practices:
- • Practice with real speeds (highway limits, sports)
- • Use estimation to check if answers are reasonable
- • Learn both metric and imperial for versatility
- • Understand the relationship between distance, time, and speed
- • Use conversion tools for complex calculations
Real-Life Applications:
- • Transportation and travel planning
- • Sports performance analysis
- • Aviation and marine navigation
- • Weather and wind speed reporting
- • Scientific and engineering calculations
Watch Out For:
- • Confusing km/h and m/s conversion factors
- • Using approximate instead of exact factors
- • Forgetting to convert time units properly
- • Mixing up similar units (knots vs mph)
- • Not considering context (aviation vs automotive speeds)