Kilometer per hour to Meter per second Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert kilometers per hour to meters per second with our free online speed converter.
Kilometer per hour to Meter per second Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilometer per hour).
- The converted value in Meter per second will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Speed category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Kilometer per hour to Meter per second
Converting Kilometer per hour to Meter per second involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Kilometer per hour = 0.277778 meters per secondExample Calculation:
Convert 60 kilometers per hour: 60 × 0.277778 = 16.66667 meters per second
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
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What is a Kilometer per hour and a Meter per second?
Kilometers per hour (km/h or kph) is a unit of speed expressing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour.
Meters per second (m/s) is the base unit of speed and velocity in the International System of Units (SI). It measures the distance in meters traveled in one second.
Note: The Kilometer per hour is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Meter per second belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Kilometer per hour and Meter per second
Kilometers per hour became a common unit of speed with the widespread adoption of the metric system for distance (kilometer) and the standard use of hours for time measurement, particularly following the advent of automobiles and trains where measuring such speeds became practical and necessary.
The concept of measuring speed evolved with the development of standardized units for distance (meter) and time (second) within the metric system, established during the French Revolution. The formal adoption of m/s as the SI derived unit for velocity solidified its importance in scientific contexts.
Common Uses for kilometers per hour and meters per second
Explore the typical applications for both Kilometer per hour (metric) and Meter per second (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for kilometers per hour
- Road Traffic: The most common unit for speed limits and vehicle speeds (speedometers) worldwide, except in countries like the US and UK.
- Meteorology: Often used in public weather forecasts to report wind speeds, especially in metric countries.
- Navigation: Used alongside other units like knots in some aviation and maritime contexts, although less common than knots for primary navigation.
- Sports: Sometimes used to describe speeds in cycling, skiing, or running over longer distances.
Common Uses for meters per second
- Physics & Science: The standard unit for speed and velocity in scientific calculations, experiments, and equations (e.g., calculating acceleration, momentum).
- Engineering: Used in various engineering disciplines for specifying speeds of machinery, fluid flow rates, and other technical parameters.
- Athletics: Sometimes used to measure short-distance running speeds (sprints) and throwing velocities in sports science.
- Meteorology: Wind speed is often measured or converted to m/s for scientific models and international reporting, although km/h or knots might be used in public forecasts.
- Technology: Specifying the speed of data transmission or processing components in some technical contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Kilometer per hour (km/h)
Where is km/h primarily used?
Kilometers per hour is the standard unit for road speed in most countries around the world that use the metric system.
Is km/h an SI unit?
While it uses SI units (kilometer and hour derived from second), the official SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s). However, km/h is accepted for use with SI.
How do you convert km/h to mph?
To approximate, divide the speed in km/h by 1.609. So, 100 km/h is roughly 62 mph. (1 km/h ≈ 0.621371 mph).
How do you convert km/h to m/s?
Divide the speed in km/h by 3.6. So, 100 km/h is approximately 27.78 m/s.
About Meter per second (m/s)
What is the SI unit for speed?
Meters per second (m/s) is the base SI derived unit for speed and velocity.
Is m/s used for everyday speeds like driving?
Not typically for driving; kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph) are more common for vehicle speeds. m/s is primarily used in scientific and technical fields.
How does m/s relate to km/h?
1 m/s is equal to 3.6 km/h. To convert m/s to km/h, multiply by 3.6. To convert km/h to m/s, divide by 3.6.
Conversion Table: Kilometer per hour to Meter per second
| Kilometer per hour (km/h) | Meter per second (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.278 |
| 5 | 1.389 |
| 10 | 2.778 |
| 25 | 6.944 |
| 50 | 13.889 |
| 100 | 27.778 |
| 500 | 138.889 |
| 1,000 | 277.778 |
All Speed Conversions
Other Units from Speed
Conversion Formula
1 km/h = 0.277778 m/s
Where 1 Kilometer per hour (km/h) equals the calculated value in meters per second (m/s).