Speed & Velocity Converter - Free Online Tool

Convert speed & velocity units instantly. Support for 6+ units including Meter per Second, Kilometer per Hour, Mile per Hour. with formula and conversion table.

🚗 Speed & Velocity Converter

Select your units from the lists below

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From Unit

Meter per Second
Symbol: m/s

Kilometer per Hour
Symbol: km/h

Mile per Hour
Symbol: mph

Foot per Second
Symbol: ft/s

Knot
Symbol: kn

Mach
Symbol: Ma

To Unit

Meter per Second
Symbol: m/s

Kilometer per Hour
Symbol: km/h

Mile per Hour
Symbol: mph

Foot per Second
Symbol: ft/s

Knot
Symbol: kn

Mach
Symbol: Ma

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🚗 Speed & Velocity Converter

Speed measurements appear in transportation, engineering, and scientific research. Convert between meters per second, kilometers per hour, miles per hour, knots, and other speed units instantly. Whether you're working in automotive design, aviation, or physics research, our converter handles the calculations.

🚗 About Speed & Velocity

Speed measures how fast an object moves—the rate of change of position with respect to time. Velocity is speed with direction, making it a vector quantity. In the International System of Units (SI), speed is measured in meters per second (m/s), a derived unit combining the meter and the second. From transportation and engineering to scientific research, speed measurements are used across many fields. Different regions and fields use different units. The metric system (meters per second, kilometers per hour) dominates global science and most countries, while the imperial system (miles per hour) remains common in the United States for road transportation. Nautical units (knots) are used in maritime and aviation applications. Working with all these units helps with international transportation, engineering design, and scientific collaboration.

Understanding Speed & Velocity Measurement

Speed is a derived physical quantity representing the rate at which an object covers distance, calculated as distance divided by time. In the International System of Units (SI), speed is measured in meters per second (m/s), which combines the base units of length (meter) and time (second). Velocity is speed with a specified direction, making it a vector quantity. Since both the meter and second are defined by fundamental constants—the meter by the speed of light and the second by the cesium-133 atomic transition—the meter per second inherits this precision and reproducibility. Speed units scale proportionally: one kilometer per hour equals 1,000 meters per 3,600 seconds, or approximately 0.278 meters per second.

📜 History & Context

The history of speed measurement dates back to ancient times, when people estimated speed by observing how long it took to travel known distances. Early methods relied on timing devices like hourglasses and distance measurements using chains or paces. The development of accurate speed measurement required both precise timekeeping and distance measurement capabilities. The modern era of speed measurement began with the development of mechanical devices. In the 17th century, sailors used chip logs—wooden floats attached to ropes with evenly spaced knots—to measure ship speed. The rope was allowed to pay out for a fixed time (measured with a sandglass), and the number of knots that passed through the sailor's hands gave the speed in "knots," a unit still used in maritime and aviation today. The knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour, where a nautical mile equals one minute of latitude. With the advent of the metric system and the standardization of the meter and second, speed measurement became more precise and universal. The meter per second became the SI unit for speed, while kilometers per hour gained widespread use for transportation. The development of atomic clocks and the redefinition of the meter using the speed of light in 1983 ensured that speed measurements are now based on fundamental constants, providing unprecedented accuracy and reproducibility.

✨ Fun Facts

• The unit "knot" comes from 17th-century sailors who used chip logs—wooden floats with knotted ropes—to measure ship speed, counting how many knots passed through their hands in a timed period.
• A nautical mile equals one minute of latitude, making knots particularly useful for navigation, as they directly relate to distance traveled north or south.
• The first car to exceed 100 km/h was "La Jamais Contente" in 1899, while the first to exceed 100 mph was driven by Louis Rigolly in 1904.
• The current land speed record is held by ThrustSSC, which broke the sound barrier at 763 mph (1,228 km/h) in 1997.
• One knot equals approximately 1.151 miles per hour, while one mile per hour equals about 1.609 kilometers per hour.

💡 Real-World Examples

• Automotive transportation: Vehicle speedometers display speed in miles per hour or kilometers per hour depending on the country. Converting between units helps with international travel and vehicle imports.
• Aviation and maritime: Aircraft and ships use knots for speed measurement. Converting to miles per hour or kilometers per hour helps with communication with ground control and public understanding.
• Scientific research: Physics experiments measure velocities in meters per second. Converting to more familiar units like kilometers per hour helps with reporting and communication.
• Sports and athletics: Running speeds, cycling speeds, and vehicle racing are measured in various units. Converting between units helps with international competitions and record comparisons.
• Weather and meteorology: Wind speeds are reported in miles per hour, kilometers per hour, or meters per second depending on the region. Converting between units helps with international weather data sharing.
• Engineering and manufacturing: Industrial processes monitor speeds in meters per second or feet per minute. Converting between units helps with equipment compatibility and international standards.
• Traffic and transportation planning: Road speed limits are set in miles per hour or kilometers per hour. Converting between units helps with international drivers and transportation planning.
• Physics and mechanics: Scientific calculations use meters per second for velocity, while practical applications often report in kilometers per hour or miles per hour for easier understanding.

🔧 Common Applications

• Transportation and automotive: Vehicle speed measurement, traffic management, and transportation planning work with both metric and imperial units. Converting between units helps with international coordination.
• Aviation and maritime: Aircraft and ship navigation use knots. Converting to other units helps with communication, flight planning, and public reporting.
• Scientific research: Physics experiments, fluid dynamics, and engineering analysis measure velocities in meters per second. Converting to other units helps with reporting and international collaboration.
• Weather and meteorology: Wind speed measurement and reporting use various units depending on region. Converting between units helps with global weather data sharing and forecasting.
• Industrial automation: Manufacturing processes, conveyor systems, and material handling monitor speeds in different units. Converting between units helps with equipment compatibility and process control.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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

To convert kilometers per hour (km/h) to miles per hour (mph), multiply the km/h value by 0.621371. For example, 100 km/h equals approximately 62.14 mph, and 60 km/h equals approximately 37.28 mph. This conversion is commonly used for vehicle speed limits and speedometer readings.

+ What is a knot and how does it relate to miles per hour?

A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.151 miles per hour or 1.852 kilometers per hour. Knots are primarily used in maritime and aviation navigation. For example, 10 knots equals approximately 11.51 mph or 18.52 km/h.

+ How do I convert meters per second to kilometers per hour?

To convert meters per second (m/s) to kilometers per hour (km/h), multiply the m/s value by 3.6. For example, 10 m/s equals 36 km/h, and 1 m/s equals 3.6 km/h. This conversion is commonly used in physics and scientific calculations.

+ What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is a scalar quantity that measures how fast an object moves (distance per time), while velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. For example, 60 mph north is a velocity, while 60 mph is just a speed. In everyday use, we often use these terms interchangeably.

+ How fast is Mach 1 in miles per hour?

Mach 1, the speed of sound, varies with temperature and altitude but is approximately 767 mph (1,235 km/h) at sea level at 20°C. At higher altitudes where the air is colder, the speed of sound is lower. Supersonic speeds are measured in Mach numbers, where Mach 2 is twice the speed of sound.