How to Convert MPH to Meters Per Second
Miles per hour (mph) is the standard speed unit in the US, while meters per second (m/s) is the SI unit used in physics, engineering, and most scientific contexts. Converting between them is essential when working with physics problems, wind speed data, or international speed standards.
The conversion factor is 1 mph = 0.44704 m/s.
The Conversion Formula
m/s = mph ร 0.44704
Going the other direction:
mph = m/s รท 0.44704
Step-by-Step Example
A car is traveling at 60 mph. What is that in m/s?
- 60 ร 0.44704 = 26.82 m/s
Reference Table
| MPH | m/s | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mph | 0.447 m/s | Slow walk |
| 5 mph | 2.235 m/s | Brisk walk |
| 30 mph | 13.41 m/s | City street |
| 60 mph | 26.82 m/s | Highway |
| 100 mph | 44.70 m/s | Autobahn |
| 186,000 mph | 83,126 m/s | Speed of light (approx) |
Physics Applications
In physics equations, speed is almost always expressed in m/s. For example, kinetic energy is KE = ยฝmvยฒ, where v must be in m/s for the result to be in joules. Converting mph to m/s before plugging into equations prevents unit errors.
The speed of sound at sea level is approximately 343 m/s, or about 767 mphโuseful for calculating Mach numbers.
Use our mph-to-m/s calculator for any speed conversion.