Mach number to Mile per hour Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert Mach numbers to miles per hour with our free online speed converter.
Mach number to Mile per hour Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Mach number).
- The converted value in Mile per hour 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 Mach number to Mile per hour
Converting Mach number to Mile per hour involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Mach number = 767.2691 miles per hourExample Calculation:
Convert 60 Mach numbers: 60 × 767.2691 = 4.6036e+4 miles per hour
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.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Mach number and a Mile per hour?
The Mach number (M or Ma) is a dimensionless quantity in fluid dynamics representing the ratio of flow velocity past a boundary to the local speed of sound. It is named after Austrian physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach.
Miles per hour (mph, MPH, or mi/h) is an imperial and US customary unit of speed expressing the number of statute miles traveled in one hour.
Note: The Mach number is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Mile per hour belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Mach number and Mile per hour
The term "Mach number" was proposed by Swiss aeronautical engineer Jakob Ackeret in 1929. It gained prominence during World War II with the development of high-speed aircraft. The sound barrier (Mach 1) was famously broken by Chuck Yeager in 1947.
Miles per hour became prominent with the rise of automotive transportation in countries using the imperial system, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States. It provided a practical measure for road travel speeds and regulations.
Common Uses for Mach numbers and miles per hour
Explore the typical applications for both Mach number (imperial/US) and Mile per hour (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for Mach numbers
- Aerospace: Describing the speed of aircraft and spacecraft relative to the speed of sound (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic).
- Fluid Dynamics: Analyzing high-speed flows in wind tunnels, jet engines, and rocket nozzles.
- Ballistics: Characterizing the speed of projectiles.
Common Uses for miles per hour
- Road Traffic (US/UK): The standard unit for speed limits and vehicle speeds (speedometers) in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries.
- Rail Transport (US/UK): Often used for train speeds in these same countries.
- Meteorology (Informal): Sometimes used informally in the US/UK for wind speed in public weather reports, though knots or m/s are preferred in official meteorological contexts.
- Sports: Used in some sports like baseball (pitch speed) and sometimes informally in running or cycling in relevant countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Mach number (Mach)
What does Mach 1 mean?
Mach 1 represents the speed of sound in the surrounding medium under specific conditions (temperature, pressure, altitude). At standard sea level conditions (15°C and 1 atm), Mach 1 is approximately 343 meters per second (1,235 km/h; 767 mph).
Is the speed of Mach 1 constant?
No, the speed of sound varies primarily with temperature. It decreases at higher altitudes where the air is colder. Therefore, the actual speed corresponding to Mach 1 changes with altitude and atmospheric conditions.
What are the different speed regimes related to Mach number?
- Subsonic: M < 0.8
- Transonic: 0.8 ≤ M < 1.2
- Supersonic: 1.2 ≤ M < 5
- Hypersonic: M ≥ 5
About Mile per hour (mph)
Which countries use mph for speed limits?
Miles per hour is primarily used for road speed limits in the United States, the United Kingdom, and some Caribbean nations.
Is mph an SI unit?
No, mph is part of the imperial and US customary systems. The SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).
How do you convert mph to km/h?
Multiply the speed in mph by 1.60934. So, 60 mph is approximately 96.6 km/h.
How do you convert mph to ft/s?
Multiply the speed in mph by 1.46667. So, 60 mph is approximately 88 ft/s.
Conversion Table: Mach number to Mile per hour
| Mach number (Mach) | Mile per hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 767.269 |
| 5 | 3,836.346 |
| 10 | 7,672.692 |
| 25 | 19,181.729 |
| 50 | 38,363.457 |
| 100 | 76,726.915 |
| 500 | 383,634.574 |
| 1,000 | 767,269.148 |
All Speed Conversions
Conversion Formula
1 Mach = 767.269148 mph
Where 1 Mach number (Mach) equals the calculated value in miles per hour (mph).