Converting Speed
Convert between meters per second, miles per hour, knots, and more.
Table of Contents
Speed Converter
Speed Conversion Charts
Basic Speed Conversions
This table shows the conversion from 1 m/s to kilometers per hour, miles per hour, and feet per second. Multiply the m/s value by the conversion factor to quickly get the equivalent in these common units.
| Speed (m/s) | Kilometer/hour (km/h) | Mile/hour (mph) | Foot/second (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.6 | 2.23694 | 3.28084 |
| 2 | 7.2 | 4.47388 | 6.56168 |
| 5 | 18.0 | 11.1847 | 16.4042 |
| 10 | 36.0 | 22.3694 | 32.8084 |
| 20 | 72.0 | 44.7388 | 65.6168 |
Time-Based Speed Conversions
Since 1 m/s equals 60 m/min (1 m/s × 60) and 3600 m/h (1 m/s × 3600), this table helps you quickly determine speeds over longer time intervals.
| Speed (m/s) | Meter/minute (m/min) | Meter/hour (m/h) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 | 3600 |
| 2 | 120 | 7200 |
| 5 | 300 | 18000 |
| 10 | 600 | 36000 |
| 20 | 1200 | 72000 |
Centimeter & Millimeter Speed Conversions
Using the fact that 1 m = 100 cm and 1 m = 1000 mm, this table converts m/s into cm/s and mm/s, which is useful for more detailed measurements in engineering or scientific contexts.
| Speed (m/s) | Centimeter/second (cm/s) | Millimeter/second (mm/s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | 1000 |
| 2 | 200 | 2000 |
| 5 | 500 | 5000 |
| 10 | 1000 | 10000 |
| 20 | 2000 | 20000 |
Imperial Speed Conversions
This table converts m/s to feet per second and yards per second using standard factors: 1 m/s ≈ 3.28084 ft/s and 1 m/s ≈ 1.09361 yd/s. It’s perfect for applications in regions using the Imperial system.
| Speed (m/s) | Foot/second (ft/s) | Yard/second (yd/s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.28084 | 1.09361 |
| 2 | 6.56168 | 2.18722 |
| 5 | 16.4042 | 5.46805 |
| 10 | 32.8084 | 10.9361 |
| 20 | 65.6168 | 21.8722 |
Maritime and Aeronautical Speed Units
Knots are the standard unit of speed in maritime and aviation. Here, 1 m/s is approximately 1.94384 knots (and slightly different for UK standards). This table helps pilots and mariners quickly convert speeds.
| Speed (m/s) | Knots (kt) | Knots (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.94384 | 1.94255 |
| 2 | 3.88768 | 3.88510 |
| 5 | 9.7192 | 9.71275 |
| 10 | 19.4384 | 19.4255 |
| 20 | 38.8768 | 38.8510 |
Cosmic and Special Speed Units
This table provides a summary of speeds used in advanced scientific and astronomical contexts. It includes the speed of light, cosmic velocities, Earth's orbital speed, and speeds related to sound and Mach numbers, offering perspective on how 1 m/s scales up to extreme velocities.
| Speed (m/s) | Description |
|---|---|
| 299,792,458 | Speed of light in vacuum (c) |
| ~7350 | Cosmic Velocity – First (typical low Earth orbital speed) |
| ~11180 | Cosmic Velocity – Second (Earth escape velocity) |
| ~16670 | Cosmic Velocity – Third (higher orbital speeds) |
| ~29780 | Earth's orbital speed around the Sun |
| ~1482 | Velocity of sound in pure water |
| ~1500 | Velocity of sound in sea water (20°C, 10 m deep) |
| ~343 | Mach (20°C, 1 atm) |
| ~340.29 | Mach (SI Standard) |
Additional Informations
Speed Units Categories
Everyday Units
- Kilometer per Hour (km/h): Widely used in road transportation; 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h.
- Mile per Hour (mph): Common in countries using the Imperial system; 1 m/s ≈ 2.23694 mph.
- Meter per Second (m/s): The standard unit in scientific and technical contexts.
Time-Based Variants
- Meter per Minute (m/min): Useful when measuring speeds over longer or shorter intervals.
- Meter per Hour (m/hr): Another variant for extended time-based speed measurements.
Centimeter and Millimeter Conversions
- Centimeter per Second (cm/s) and Millimeter per Second (mm/s): Essential for detailed engineering applications requiring small-scale measurements.
Imperial Length Conversions
- Foot per Second (ft/s): 1 m/s ≈ 3.28084 ft/s.
- Yard per Second (yd/s): 1 m/s ≈ 1.09361 yd/s.
- Conversions for foot per minute or foot per hour are adjusted accordingly for broader applications.
Nautical and Specialized Units
- Knots: A unit used in maritime and aviation contexts; 1 m/s ≈ 1.94384 knots (with slight variations for UK standards, e.g., 1.94255 knots).
Cosmic Velocities
- Cosmic Velocity First: ~7350 m/s, approximating typical low Earth orbital speeds.
- Cosmic Velocity Second: ~11180 m/s, close to Earth’s escape velocity.
- Cosmic Velocity Third: ~16670 m/s, representing higher orbital or interplanetary speeds.
Earth Velocity
- Approximately 29780 m/s, reflecting Earth’s orbital speed around the Sun.
Sound Speeds
- Sound in Pure Water: ~1482 m/s.
- Sound in Sea Water: ~1500 m/s.
Mach Numbers
- Mach (20°C): ~343 m/s.
- Mach (SI Standard): ~340.29 m/s.
Speed of Light
- A constant at 299,792,458 m/s, used in astronomical and physics calculations.
Practical Applications
- Transportation and Daily Life: Common units like km/h, mph, and m/s are essential for road travel, vehicle speed regulation, and everyday planning.
- Engineering and Science: Detailed conversions, including time-based units and imperial measures, support complex engineering calculations and international standards.
- Maritime and Aeronautical Navigation: Knots and related units are critical for precise navigation and fuel calculations in maritime and aviation contexts.
- Astronomy and Astrophysics: Cosmic velocities and the speed of light enable scientists to perform calculations related to orbital mechanics and interplanetary distances.
- Acoustics and Fluid Dynamics: Conversions for sound speeds in different media are vital for designing underwater equipment and studying wave propagation.
- Consistency and Precision: Using m/s as the base unit ensures that all conversions follow a uniform, reliable methodology regardless of the source or target unit.