Speed Unit Conversion Reference

Convert m/s, km/h, mph, knots, and Mach number instantly.

Convert between metres per second, km/h, mph, knots, feet per second, Mach and the speed of light, with exact conversion factors and standard-atmosphere Mach.

How is each unit converted?

Every input is first converted to metres per second using its exact factor, then out to every other unit. This single-base method avoids compounding rounding across chained conversions.

Convert any speed unit in one place

Speed is distance over time, and the world uses many units for it: scientists use metres per second, drivers use km/h or mph, sailors and pilots use knots, and aerospace uses Mach number. This reference converts between all of them from a single input, plus shows the value as a fraction of the speed of light.

How it works

Every unit has an exact factor to the SI base, metres per second. Your input is converted to m/s first, then out to each target:

1 km/h   = 0.277778 m/s   (1000 / 3600)
1 mph    = 0.44704  m/s   (1609.344 / 3600)
1 knot   = 0.514444 m/s   (1852 / 3600)
1 ft/s   = 0.3048   m/s   (exact foot definition)
Mach 1   = 340.29   m/s   (dry air, 15 C, sea level ISA)
c        = 299792458 m/s  (speed of light, exact)

Converting through a single base avoids the error that builds up when you chain unit-to-unit factors one after another.

Tips and notes

  • Mach number depends on air temperature; the 340.29 m/s figure is sea-level standard only.
  • A handy mental check: 1 m/s is about 3.6 km/h and roughly 2.24 mph.
  • Knots and km/h are close: 1 knot is about 1.15 mph or 1.85 km/h.
  • The light-speed fraction is tiny for everyday speeds but useful for physics context.