Foot per second (ft/s) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Foot per second?
Definition
Feet per second (ft/s, fps, or ft/sec) is a unit of speed in the imperial and US customary systems. It measures the distance in feet traveled in one second.
History
The foot as a unit of length has ancient origins, and the second became standardized more recently. Feet per second emerged as a logical unit for measuring speed in contexts where feet were the standard measure of distance, particularly before widespread metrication.
Common Uses
- Physics & Engineering (Imperial/US): Used in calculations involving velocity and acceleration in systems using imperial units, particularly in older texts or specific industries (e.g., some aerospace applications).
- Ballistics: Often used to measure the muzzle velocity of firearms.
- Fluid Dynamics (Imperial/US): Can be used to express the speed of fluid flow in pipes or channels in US customary units.
- Some Scientific Instruments: Certain instruments might output readings in ft/s depending on their design and intended application region.
Unit FAQs
Is ft/s commonly used for everyday speed?
No, miles per hour (mph) is much more common for everyday speeds (like driving) in countries using the imperial/US customary system. ft/s is more technical.
Is ft/s an SI unit?
No, it belongs to the imperial and US customary systems. The SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).
How do you convert ft/s to mph?
Divide the speed in ft/s by 1.46667. So, 88 ft/s is approximately 60 mph.
How do you convert ft/s to m/s?
Multiply the speed in ft/s by 0.3048. So, 10 ft/s is equal to 3.048 m/s.
Foot per second Conversion Formulas
To Meter per second:
To Kilometer per hour:
To Mile per hour:
To Knot:
To Mach number:
To Speed of light:
Convert Foot per second
Need to convert Foot per second to other speed units? Use our conversion tool.