Speed Converter
Enter the numerical value you want to convert between speed units.
Table of Contents
- What Are Speed and Velocity?
- Speed Unit Conversion Formulas
- Practical Speed Conversion Examples
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Speed and Velocity?
Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to "how fast an object is moving." It is usually measured in units of distance per time, such as meters per second or miles per hour.
Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that refers to "the rate at which an object changes its position." It is measured in units of distance per time but also includes information about the direction of motion. For example, a car moving at 60 miles per hour to the east has a different velocity than a car moving at 60 miles per hour to the west.
The main difference between speed and velocity is that speed is a scalar quantity and only describes how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity that describes both the rate and the direction of an object's motion.
Speed Unit Conversion Formulas
Conversions between different speed units are common in scientific, educational, and everyday contexts. Below are some basic formulas for converting between popular speed units:
- From kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (m/s):
Formula:m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6
Example: 72 km/h = 72 ÷ 3.6 = 20 m/s - From meters per second (m/s) to kilometers per hour (km/h):
Formula:km/h = m/s × 3.6
Example: 10 m/s = 10 × 3.6 = 36 km/h - From miles per hour (mi/h) to kilometers per hour (km/h):
Formula:km/h = mi/h × 1.60934
Example: 60 mi/h = 60 × 1.60934 = 96.56 km/h - From kilometers per hour (km/h) to miles per hour (mi/h):
Formula:mi/h = km/h ÷ 1.60934
Example: 100 km/h = 100 ÷ 1.60934 ≈ 62.14 mi/h - From knots (kn) to kilometers per hour (km/h):
Formula:km/h = kn × 1.852
Example: 20 kn = 20 × 1.852 = 37.04 km/h
Practical Speed Conversion Examples
Below are some practical examples of how to convert different speed units using simple formulas:
- Convert 90 km/h to m/s
Formula:m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6
Calculation: 90 ÷ 3.6 = 25 m/s - Convert 15 m/s to km/h
Formula:km/h = m/s × 3.6
Calculation: 15 × 3.6 = 54 km/h - Convert 60 miles per hour (mi/h) to kilometers per hour (km/h)
Formula:km/h = mi/h × 1.60934
Calculation: 60 × 1.60934 = 96.56 km/h - Convert 100 km/h to miles per hour (mi/h)
Formula:mi/h = km/h ÷ 1.60934
Calculation: 100 ÷ 1.60934 ≈ 62.14 mi/h - Convert 25 knots (kn) to km/h
Formula:km/h = kn × 1.852
Calculation: 25 × 1.852 = 46.3 km/h
Frequently Asked Questions
What unit systems are used to measure speed?
The most common systems are the metric system (such as meters per second and kilometers per hour) and the imperial system (such as miles per hour or feet per second).
Is speed conversion used in everyday life?
Yes, for example when reading a vehicle's speed, planning a trip, or following weather reports that mention wind speed.
How to convert from kilometers per hour to meters per second?
To convert km/h to m/s, divide the value by 3.6. For example, 90 km/h equals 25 m/s.
How to convert from miles per hour to kilometers per hour?
To convert mph to km/h, multiply the value by 1.60934. For example, 60 mph equals approximately 96.56 km/h.