Omni Calculator logo

Speed Calculator

Created by Filip Derma, Mateusz Mucha and Joanna Andrzejewska
Reviewed by Dominik Czernia, PhD and Jack Bowater
Last updated: Jan 30, 2024


This speed calculator is a tool that helps you determine the average speed of a moving object based on the distance traveled over a certain time traveled. Whether you are test-driving your brand-new car or just going for a quick jog or cycle, if you want to know how to find average speed, this calculator will come in handy.

In the article below, you can find a lot of valuable information, like what the average speed formula is. We will also give you a few curious speed facts (e.g., the speed of sound formula). Check this speed distance calculator and finally find an answer to the question how fast am I going?

Speed, distance, time

We have all heard of speed, but how confident are you in your understanding of this concept? Speed is, by definition, purely related and connected to physics. However, when you take the time to think about it, you don't see the vectors and formulas from your textbook, but instead, a cyclist, flying jet, or speedometer needle. We mostly associate speed with moving objects than with scientific equations. What is more, we have a sense that tells us how quickly we are traveling; that is, we can sense whether we are moving fast or not. For example, when you drive a car at a speed of 50 km/h, this is not too fast relative to the max speed of the car, but when you ride a bike with the same speed, it feels like a lot. So, we can say that the human perception of speed is relative.

Automobiles and trains measure speed in kilometers per hour (kph) or in miles per hour (mph), and on airplanes and ships, we usually use knots (kn). On the other hand, physicists most often use the SI base units which are meters per second (m/s). The speed definition hides behind these units, and we can get familiar with it by examining them. Everything about speed is related to distance and time. The units of speed are specified by traveled distance units divided by units of time, and that is the general idea of speed. In a more simple way - speed is the distance traveled per unit of time.

How fast am I going? — types of speed

Speed is not a precise term — there are a few more accurate meanings, and they should not be confused with each other. Let's consider the differences between instantaneous speed, average speed and rotational speed. For the purpose of two first, we will try to visualize it with an example of driving a car.

You are driving along the long, open highway. You glance down at the speedometer of your car; it reads 100 kilometers per hour. From this, you know how far you will drive if you keep the speed constant. We know that, in practice, keeping the speed exactly constant is almost impossible (although, on a highway with cruise control, it is nearly possible), and our speed fluctuates all the time, more or less. The actual distance you travel in an hour is the average of all these speeds. Conclusion - the average speed is the total distance traveled in a unit of time (e.g., in an hour).

So, what does the number your speedometer indicates really mean? That is your instantaneous speed; your speed at this exact moment. According to the textbook definition, the instantaneous speed is the change in object position, x, between two times, t1 and t2 (where this time interval approaches zero, i.e., t2 - t1 → 0).

The rotational speed is a slightly different term, related rather to rotating objects than to objects that change their position in space. Accordingly, the rotational speed is the number of complete revolutions that an object makes in a unit of time. It is expressed in radians per second (rad/s) or in revolutions per minute (rpm) units. We will not focus more on this topic because it is not the aim of this speed distance calculator. If you would like to find out more about the topic of angular speed, go to our angular acceleration calculator or the rotational kinetic energy calculator.

Average speed formula

Since the main purpose of this calculator is to calculate average speed, let's take a more in-depth look at this topic. Average speed is measured in units of distance per time, and the average speed formula looks like this:

average speed = total distance / total time

Typical units are kilometers per hour (kph), miles per hour (mph), meters per second (m/s), and feet per second (ft/s). In our mph calculator, the default unit is mph (kph for metric-units countries), but you can change between any of the common units.

🙋 To know more about determining the average speed, check out our average rate of change calculator.

Speed calculator — how to find your average speed?

Using this speed distance calculator is really easy, and you will get your result immediately. Check the points below to learn how to use this calculator properly:

  1. First, you need to determine the distance. This might be, for example, the distance you have driven from home to another city. Input this into the appropriate field.
  2. Now, there is a need to determine the time it took to cover a certain distance. Input this into the calculator.
  3. And here it is, you'll get the average speed.

You can also click the advanced mode button to access the extra functionality of this average speed calculator. Here, you can compare what the difference in time would be if the object was traveling at another average speed (a positive value if the object is traveling for a longer time and a negative value if the object is traveling for a shorter time).

Average speed vs average velocity

Speed and velocity might seem to be the same thing, but they're not. Speed is a scalar quantity - it is defined by magnitude only. In simple terms, it tells you how fast an object is moving. On the other hand, velocity is a vector - it is defined not only by magnitude but also by direction. It tells you the rate at which an object changes its position.

Imagine you drove a car 100 meters forward and then 100 meters back. You would drive at a certain average speed in each direction, but you would have zero average velocity, as velocity is measured as the rate at which the position of the car changes, and, overall, the car didn't change its position. Therefore, it is enough to say that the average speed of a car was 50 mph, but when calculating velocity, we would have to add direction, let's say 50 mph east.

🙋 Take a look at the velocity calculator for a full discussion on the difference between velocity and speed!

Do you have a need... a need for speed? Take a look at some interesting facts and striking numbers of the speed of different objects and animals!

Nothing can go faster than the speed of light, even if we take into account that speed is a relative measurement. Light moves at the speed of 299 792 458 meters per second, which approximately gives 300 000 kilometers per second or 186 000 miles per second. The time it takes for the light from the Sun to reach the Earth is around 8 minutes.

Sound moves through the air at a speed of around 343 meters per second, which is 1234.8 km/h or 767 mph (at 20 °C / 68 °F). It means that a sound wave in air needs about 2.9 seconds to travel one kilometer, or 4.7 seconds to travel a mile - this data might be useful for storm-hunters to determine the lighting distance. In 2012, Austrian Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier (with his body!) during a free-fall from 128 000 feet. He reached a speed of 843.6 mph. To put it into context, the typical passenger of jet aircraft cruises at an altitude of 33 000 - 35 000 feet, at a speed of around 500 mph (depending on the aircraft type as well as on the wind speed).

You've probably heard that the fastest animal on the land is the cheetah, and it is true. Its maximum speed is really incredible, and, according to the latest research, it can reach speeds of up to 58 mph! Another amazing example is the peregrine falcons. They can reach speeds exceeding... 200 mph in air! In water, the fastest animal is the Atlantic sailfish - 68 mph in water.

What about people? Sprinter Usain Bolt is the fastest man ever in recorded history, with a recorded speed of 27.44 mph. What is interesting, scientists found that a man who lived 20 000 years ago in Australia (called T8) ran with the speed of 23 mph. Note he did it barefoot in the mud, while Bolt uses state-of-the-art running shoes and a dedicated track.

FAQ

Is velocity the same as speed?

Velocity and speed are very nearly the same — in fact, the only difference between the two is that velocity is speed with direction. Speed is what is known as a scalar quantity, meaning that it can be described by a single number (how fast you’re going). It is also the magnitude of velocity. Velocity, a vector quantity, must have both the magnitude and direction specified, e.g., traveling 90 mph southeast.

What is the most economical driving speed?

While the most economical driving speed changes with every vehicle, the general consensus is that it is around 50 mph (80 km/h). There are a few other things you can do to maximize efficiency, however. First, try to maintain a constant speed; this will make your engine run as efficiently as possible — use cruise control on flats if you have it. Second, drive at the highest possible gear within the speed limit; this again helps your engine run as economically as possible. Other tips include turning off AC and having as little weight in your car as you can.

Can Google Maps tell me my speed?

Google Maps can tell you your speed; it has an inbuild speedometer, which is only currently available for Android users. It is on by default, but to make sure it is on, go to settings → navigation settings, and under the driving options menu, there will be a slider for it. It is useful as it will change color if you are exceeding the limit — so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road. You can also report speed cameras and traps — but only if you’re in navigation mode.

How do you calculate mph to seconds?

  1. Take your current speed in either kph or mph.
  2. Divide it by 60 to get kilometers per minute or miles per minute.
  3. Divide by 60 again, getting kilometers per second or miles per second.
  4. Alternatively, divide it by 3600 for the straight conversion.

What are the types of speed?

Speed has many different types and terms to describe it:

  • Speed — how fast an object is traveling.
  • Velocity — how fast an object is traveling in a certain direction.
  • Acceleration — how quickly it takes an object to reach a certain speed.
  • Constant speed — an object moving at the same rate.
  • Variable speed — an object moving at a changing rate.
  • Average speed — distance covered divided by time taken to traverse.
  • Instantaneous speed — the speed at a particular instance.

What is the unit for speed?

The unit for speed is distance over time, as it is defined as the amount of time it takes an object to cover a particular distance. The base, or SI, unit is meters per second, but this is not very practical in everyday life. You are likely more familiar with units such as kilometers per hour, miles per hour, and knots. Any distance over time is a speed unit, so other units of speed include nanometres per fortnight, Boeing 787s per solar year, or bananas per Friedman.

How do you convert between mph and kph?

To convert from miles per hour to kilometers per hour:

  1. Take your speed.
  2. Multiply the value by 1.6.

To convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour:

  1. Take your speed.
  2. Multiply the value by 0.62.

A handy trick if you don’t have a calculator to hand (e.g., you're driving) is to use the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…). Take a number; the next one in the sequence is the kilometers if the previous one was miles (e.g., 50 mph is roughly 80 kph).

How do you find the final speed?

If you have the average and initial speed:

  1. Multiply the average speed by 2.
  2. Subtract the initial speed.
  3. You’re left with the final speed.

If you have initial speed, acceleration, and time:

  1. Multiply the time and acceleration.
  2. Add the initial speed to this number.
  3. Revel in your calculation.

What is the formula to calculate average speed?

The most common formula for average speed is distance traveled divided by time taken. The other formula, if you have the initial and final speed, add the two together and divide by 2.

What are the types of acceleration?

There are two types of acceleration, average and instantaneous. Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the change of time and is how an object's movement changes with time, on average. Instantaneous acceleration is the derivative of velocity with respect to time, or the limit of the average acceleration over an infinitesimal period of time. It is used to find the exact acceleration of an object at a particular time.

Filip Derma, Mateusz Mucha and Joanna Andrzejewska
Distance
mi
Time
hrs
min
sec
Speed
mph
Check out 11 similar bike calculators
Bike sizePaceBiking life gain… 8 more
Check out 32 similar journalist's guide calculators
AveragePercentagePercentage change… 29 more
People also viewed…

Beach Price Index

How expensive is the beach you will spend your vacation on? Find out with this Beach Price Index Calculator!

Meat footprint

Check out the impact meat has on the environment and your health.

Millionaire

This millionaire calculator will help you determine how long it will take for you to reach a 7-figure saving or any financial goal you have. You can use this calculator even if you are just starting to save or even if you already have savings.

Standing desk height

Find out the height of a stand up desk with this out-standing desk height calculator!