Speed Converter – Convert Between All Speed Units

Speed Converter

Convert between 30+ speed units including meters per second, kilometers per hour, miles per hour, knots, and more.

Speed Conversion Calculator

Enter Value

From Unit

To Unit

Converting…

Conversion Result

Converted Value

Conversion Formula

1 m/s = 1 m/s

Conversion Steps

Unit Details

Meter/second

Symbol:

m/s

Conversion Factor:

1 m/s

Meter per second is the SI derived unit of speed, expressing the number of meters traveled in one second.

Kilometer/hour

Symbol:

km/h

Conversion Factor:

0.2777777778 m/s

Kilometer per hour is a unit of speed, expressing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour.

About Speed Conversion

Understanding Speed and Velocity

Speed is a measure of how quickly an object moves from one place to another. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction. Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. In everyday language, these terms are often used interchangeably, but in physics, they have distinct meanings.

Speed is typically measured as the distance traveled per unit of time. The International System of Units (SI) uses meters per second (m/s) as the standard unit of speed. However, many other units are used in different contexts and regions, such as kilometers per hour (km/h) for road speeds, knots for maritime and aviation, and miles per hour (mph) in countries like the United States and United Kingdom.

Common Speed Units

Speed units can be categorized into several systems:

Metric System: Based on meters per second (m/s), with common units like kilometers per hour (km/h).
Imperial System: Used primarily in the United States and a few other countries, includes units like miles per hour (mph), feet per second (ft/s), and yards per second (yd/s).
Nautical Units: Used in maritime and aviation contexts, such as knots (nautical miles per hour).
Scientific Units: Used in specialized scientific fields, such as the speed of light or cosmic velocities.
Sound and Mach: Used in aerodynamics and acoustics, based on the speed of sound in different media.

Practical Applications of Speed Conversion

Speed conversion is essential in numerous fields and everyday situations:

Transportation: Converting between different speed units for driving, flying, or sailing, especially when traveling between countries with different measurement systems.
Sports: Comparing athlete performance across different sports and events that use different speed measurements.
Engineering: Converting speeds for machinery, vehicles, and manufacturing processes.
Science and Research: Converting between units for scientific calculations and data analysis in physics, astronomy, and other fields.
Weather Reporting: Converting wind speeds between different units for meteorological reports.

How to Use This Converter

Our speed converter tool allows you to convert between over 30 different speed units quickly and accurately. Simply enter the value you want to convert, select the original unit, choose the target unit, and click the Convert button. The tool will display the converted value, the conversion formula used, and step-by-step calculations showing how the conversion was performed.

This converter is particularly useful for students, professionals in transportation and engineering, scientists, pilots, sailors, and anyone who needs to work with different speed units. All conversions are based on the latest international standards to ensure accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is a scalar quantity that measures how fast an object is moving, regardless of direction. Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. For example, a car traveling north at 60 km/h has a velocity of 60 km/h north, while its speed is simply 60 km/h.

How do I convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour?

To convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour, multiply the speed in km/h by 0.621371. For example, 100 km/h equals 100 × 0.621371 = 62.1371 mph. Conversely, to convert miles per hour to kilometers per hour, multiply by 1.60934.

What is a knot and how does it relate to other speed units?

A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. One knot is approximately equal to 1.15078 miles per hour or 1.852 kilometers per hour. It is commonly used in maritime and aviation contexts because nautical miles are based on the circumference of the Earth, making them convenient for navigation.

What is Mach number and how is it calculated?

Mach number is the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. Mach 1 represents the speed of sound. The speed of sound varies with temperature, altitude, and medium. At sea level and 20°C, the speed of sound is approximately 343 m/s or 1,235 km/h, so Mach 1 equals these speeds under these conditions.

How fast is the speed of light?

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (about 186,282 miles per second). This is a fundamental constant of nature and is denoted by the symbol ‘c’. According to Einstein’s theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.

What are cosmic velocities?

Cosmic velocities are the speeds required for spacecraft to overcome Earth’s gravitational pull. The first cosmic velocity (about 7.9 km/s) is the speed needed to orbit Earth. The second cosmic velocity (about 11.2 km/s) is the escape velocity needed to break free from Earth’s gravity. The third cosmic velocity (about 16.7 km/s) is the speed needed to escape the solar system.

How does the speed of sound vary in different media?

The speed of sound varies depending on the medium through which it travels. In air at 20°C, sound travels at about 343 m/s. In pure water, it travels at about 1,482 m/s, and in sea water at 20°C and 10 meters deep, it travels at about 1,522 m/s. Sound travels faster in denser media because the molecules are closer together, allowing sound waves to propagate more quickly.

How do I convert meters per second to feet per second?

To convert meters per second to feet per second, multiply the speed in m/s by 3.28084. For example, 10 m/s equals 10 × 3.28084 = 32.8084 ft/s. Conversely, to convert feet per second to meters per second, multiply by 0.3048.

What is Earth’s orbital speed?

Earth’s orbital speed around the Sun is approximately 29.78 km/s (about 107,000 km/h or 66,600 mph). This speed varies slightly throughout the year due to Earth’s elliptical orbit, being fastest when Earth is closest to the Sun (perihelion) and slowest when farthest away (aphelion).

Why are there so many different units for measuring speed?

Different speed units developed historically from different cultures, professions, and practical needs. For example, nautical units evolved for maritime navigation, while miles per hour became standard for road travel in countries using the imperial system. Scientific fields developed specialized units like the speed of light or cosmic velocities for astronomical and space exploration contexts. This diversity reflects the varied applications of speed measurements across different human activities.

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