Meters per Second (m/s)

Meters per second (m/s) is the SI unit of speed, defined as the number of meters traveled in one second. It is the standard measure for velocity in physics and engineering, forming the base unit for speed in the International System of Units [bipm-si-brochure].

Origin

Adopted by the CGPM in 1960, meters per second was introduced to unify measurements of speed under the SI system. The meter was originally defined in 1793, but the m/s unit formalized with advancing scientific precision [cgpm-resolutions].

Worldwide Use

Meters per second is globally used in scientific research, engineering, and transportation industries. It is the primary speed unit in meteorology, fluid dynamics, and automotive testing, standardized by ISO and NIST [nist-si-guide].

Common References

  • Average human walking speed is approximately 1.4 m/s
  • Speed of sound at sea level is about 343 m/s
  • Typical car speed on highways ranges from 20 to 30 m/s
Meters per SecondKilometers per Hour1 m/s = 3.6 km/hMeters per SecondMiles per Hour1 m/s = 2.2369 mphMeters per SecondFeet per Second1 m/s = 3.2808 ft/sMeters per SecondKnots1 m/s = 1.9438 knMeters per SecondSpeed of Light1 m/s = 0 cMeters per SecondSpeed of Sound1 m/s = 0.0029 MachMeters per SecondCentimeters per Second1 m/s = 100 cm/sMeters per SecondMillimeters per Second1 m/s = 1,000 mm/sMeters per SecondInches per Second1 m/s = 39.3701 in/sMeters per SecondYards per Second1 m/s = 1.0936 yd/sMeters per SecondKilometers per Second1 m/s = 0.001 km/sMeters per SecondMiles per Second1 m/s = 0.0006 mi/sMeters per SecondMeters per Minute1 m/s = 60 m/minMeters per SecondKilometers per Minute1 m/s = 0.06 km/minMeters per SecondMiles per Minute1 m/s = 0.0373 mi/minMeters per SecondFeet per Minute1 m/s = 196.8504 ft/minMeters per SecondInches per Minute1 m/s = 2,362.2047 in/minMeters per SecondYards per Minute1 m/s = 65.6168 yd/minMeters per SecondMeters per Hour1 m/s = 3,600 m/hMeters per SecondMiles per Day1 m/s = 53.6865 mi/dMeters per SecondKilometers per Day1 m/s = 86.4 km/dMeters per SecondNautical Miles per Hour1 m/s = 1.9438 nmi/hMeters per SecondFurlongs per Fortnight1 m/s = 6,012.8848 fur/fnMeters per SecondFirst Cosmic Velocity1 m/s = 0.0001 v1Meters per SecondSecond Cosmic Velocity1 m/s = 0.0001 v2Meters per SecondThird Cosmic Velocity1 m/s = 0.0001 v3Meters per SecondEarth1 m/s = 0 v⊕Meters per SecondSpeed of Sound in Water1 m/s = 0.0007 swMeters per SecondMach (Sea Level)1 m/s = 0.0029 MaMeters per SecondBeaufort 1 (Light Air)1 m/s = 1.25 Bft 1Meters per SecondBeaufort 6 (Strong Breeze)1 m/s = 0.0813 Bft 6Meters per SecondBeaufort 12 (Hurricane)1 m/s = 0.0306 Bft 12Meters per SecondLeagues per Hour1 m/s = 0.0007 lea/hMeters per SecondDekameters per Second1 m/s = 0.1 dam/sMeters per SecondHectometers per Second1 m/s = 0.01 hm/sMeters per SecondMegameters per Second1 m/s = 0 Mm/sMeters per SecondGigameters per Second1 m/s = 0 Gm/sMeters per SecondTerameters per Second1 m/s = 0 Tm/s