Miles per Hour to Feet per Second Calculator
Miles per hour (mph) is a common unit used to measure speed in the U.S. and UK, often in driving contexts. Feet per second (ft/s or fps) is a unit frequently used in engineering, physics, and certain sports. Understanding how to convert between mph and ft/s is crucial when transitioning between imperial units, especially in scientific or real-time applications.
📏 Basic Conversion Formula
To convert miles per hour to feet per second, use the formula:
plaintextCopyEdit1 mph = 1.46667 ft/s
Formula:
plaintextCopyEditft/s = mph × 1.46667
📊 Conversion Table: Miles per Hour to Feet per Second
| Miles per Hour (mph) | Feet per Second (ft/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 mph | 1.46667 ft/s |
| 5 mph | 7.33335 ft/s |
| 10 mph | 14.6667 ft/s |
| 15 mph | 22.0001 ft/s |
| 20 mph | 29.3334 ft/s |
| 25 mph | 36.6668 ft/s |
| 30 mph | 44.0001 ft/s |
| 35 mph | 51.3335 ft/s |
| 40 mph | 58.6668 ft/s |
| 45 mph | 66.0002 ft/s |
| 50 mph | 73.3335 ft/s |
| 55 mph | 80.6669 ft/s |
| 60 mph | 88.0002 ft/s |
| 65 mph | 95.3336 ft/s |
| 70 mph | 102.667 ft/s |
| 75 mph | 110.000 ft/s |
| 80 mph | 117.334 ft/s |
| 90 mph | 131.999 ft/s |
| 100 mph | 146.667 ft/s |
| 120 mph | 176.000 ft/s |
🧠 Why This Conversion Matters
| Application Area | Reason to Convert |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Calculating projectile or mechanical motion |
| Sports Science | Measuring running or throwing speeds |
| Physics | Using consistent units in motion equations |
| Automotive Testing | Converting speed for safety or brake testing |
| Meteorology | Measuring wind speed in ft/s for equipment |
🧮 Reverse Conversion: Feet per Second to Miles per Hour
To convert ft/s back to mph:
plaintextCopyEditmph = ft/s ÷ 1.46667
Example: 88 ft/s÷1.46667≈60 mph88 \text{ ft/s} ÷ 1.46667 ≈ 60 \text{ mph}88 ft/s÷1.46667≈60 mph
📌 Quick Reference Chart
| ft/s | Approx mph |
|---|---|
| 15 | 10.23 mph |
| 30 | 20.46 mph |
| 45 | 30.69 mph |
| 60 | 40.92 mph |
| 75 | 51.15 mph |
| 90 | 61.38 mph |
🧾 Real-World Examples
| Scenario | Speed in mph | Speed in ft/s |
|---|---|---|
| Usain Bolt’s top speed | 27.8 mph | 40.8 ft/s |
| Speed limit in a school zone | 20 mph | 29.33 ft/s |
| Baseball pitch speed | 95 mph | 139.33 ft/s |
| Passenger jet at takeoff | 180 mph | 263.99 ft/s |
📚 FAQs
Q1: Is mph or ft/s more accurate?
- ft/s is often used in scientific calculations due to its smaller unit size, allowing for more precise measurements.
Q2: What is the fastest human speed in ft/s?
- Around 44.7 ft/s, achieved by elite sprinters during brief bursts.
Q3: Can I convert mph to ft/s without a calculator?
- Multiply by 1.5 for an approximation (e.g., 60 mph ≈ 90 ft/s).
📎 Summary Table
| Unit | Symbol | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Mile | mi | 5280 feet |
| Hour | hr | 3600 seconds |
| 1 mph | 5280 ÷ 3600 = 1.46667 ft/s | |
| 1 ft/s | 3600 ÷ 5280 = 0.68182 mph |
✅ Final Tips
- Always use 1.46667 for accurate conversions.
- Use the conversion chart above for quick references.
- Reverse the process for converting ft/s back to mph using division.