Speed Conversion - Convert Kilometers per Hour, Miles per Hour, and More
Speed Converter
Convert speed measurements between different units quickly and accurately
Convert Speed
Popular Speed Conversions
Quickly convert between the most commonly used speed units.
Understanding Speed Measurements
Speed conversions are essential for various applications, from transportation and sports to scientific research and engineering. Understanding speed conversions ensures accurate and consistent results across different measurement systems and scales.
Common Speed Units
Metric Units
- Meters per Second (m/s)
- Centimeters per Second (cm/s)
- Millimeters per Second (mm/s)
- Kilometers per Hour (km/h)
- Kilometers per Second (km/s)
Imperial & Other Units
- Miles per Hour (mph)
- Feet per Second (ft/s)
- Inches per Second (in/s)
- Knots (kn)
- Mach (M)
Common Applications
| Field | Measurement Types | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | Kilometers per Hour, Miles per Hour | Vehicle speed, traffic management |
| Sports | Meters per Second, Kilometers per Hour | Athletic performance, race timing |
| Aviation | Knots, Mach | Aircraft speed, flight planning |
| Scientific Research | Centimeters per Second, Millimeters per Second | Laboratory measurements, material testing |
| Space & Astronomy | Kilometers per Second | Orbital velocities, space missions |
| Engineering | Meters per Second, Inches per Second | Machinery, precision instruments |
| Everyday Use | Kilometers per Hour, Miles per Hour | Walking speed, cycling |
Conversion Tips
- 1 km/h equals approximately 0.621371 mph
- 1 mph equals approximately 1.609344 km/h
- 1 m/s = 100 cm/s = 1000 mm/s
- 1 km/s = 1000 m/s (orbital and escape velocities)
- Remember that 1 knot = 1.15078 miles per hour
- Speed is always a ratio of distance to time
Speed Conversions
| Conversion | Formula/Rule | Quick Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Kilometers per Hour to Miles per Hour | 1 mph = 1.609344 km/h | Divide km/h by 1.609344 |
| Miles per Hour to Kilometers per Hour | 1 km/h = 0.621371 mph | Multiply mph by 1.609344 |
| Meters per Second to Kilometers per Hour | 1 km/h = 0.277778 m/s | Multiply m/s by 3.6 |
| Kilometers per Hour to Meters per Second | 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h | Divide km/h by 3.6 |
| Meters per Second to Centimeters per Second | 1 m/s = 100 cm/s | Multiply m/s by 100 |
| Centimeters per Second to Meters per Second | 1 cm/s = 0.01 m/s | Divide cm/s by 100 |
| Kilometers per Second to Meters per Second | 1 km/s = 1000 m/s | Multiply km/s by 1000 |
| Knots to Miles per Hour | 1 mph = 0.868976 kn | Multiply kn by 1.15078 |
| Miles per Hour to Knots | 1 kn = 1.15078 mph | Divide mph by 1.15078 |
| Mach to Miles per Hour | 1 mph = 0.00130332 M | Multiply M by 767.269 |
| Miles per Hour to Mach | 1 M = 767.269 mph | Divide mph by 767.269 |
Our comprehensive speed conversion tool provides accurate conversions between all major speed units, from scientific measurements to everyday applications. Whether you're working in transportation, sports, engineering, or scientific research, our converter ensures precise speed conversions across all scales.
Speed Conversion Questions
Everything you need to know about speed measurements and conversions
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving, regardless of direction. Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction.
Why are there so many different speed units?
Different regions and industries use different units based on tradition and application. For example, km/h is common in most countries, mph in the US and UK, knots in aviation and maritime, cm/s in scientific research, and km/s in space applications.
How do I convert between km/h and mph?
To convert km/h to mph, multiply by 0.621371. To convert mph to km/h, multiply by 1.609344.
When are cm/s and mm/s used?
Centimeters per second (cm/s) and millimeters per second (mm/s) are commonly used in scientific research, laboratory measurements, material testing, and precision engineering where smaller-scale measurements are needed.
What is km/s used for?
Kilometers per second (km/s) is used in astronomy and space science for measuring orbital velocities, escape velocities, and spacecraft speeds. For example, Earth's orbital speed around the Sun is about 30 km/s.
What is Mach and when is it used?
Mach is a dimensionless unit representing the ratio of an object's speed to the speed of sound in air. It's used in aviation and aerospace to describe supersonic and hypersonic speeds. Mach 1 is the speed of sound (about 340.29 m/s at sea level).
Why do ships and planes use knots?
Knots are used in aviation and maritime navigation because they directly relate to nautical miles, which are based on the Earth's circumference. 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h).
What are typical speed limits for vehicles?
Speed limits vary by country and road type. Common limits: 50 km/h (urban), 90 km/h (rural), 120-130 km/h (motorways) in Europe; 25-35 mph (urban), 55-75 mph (highways) in the US. Always follow local regulations.
How is wind speed measured?
Wind speed is measured using anemometers and reported in km/h, mph, or knots. Meteorological agencies use the Beaufort scale to describe wind force based on observed conditions.
What is the fastest speed ever recorded by a human-made object?
The Parker Solar Probe, launched by NASA, is the fastest human-made object, reaching speeds over 692,000 km/h (430,000 mph or about 192 km/s) as it approaches the Sun.
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