Kilometers/hour to Meters/second Converter

This online calculator converts speed values from kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (m/s). It follows the exact defined SI relationship between kilometer, meter, hour, and second, so the result is mathematically precise and consistent with physics and engineering usage.

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How to Use the Tool

1. Type any speed in the input field labeled Kilometers per Hour (km/h).
2. Click the “Convert” button. The matching value in meters per second (m/s) appears in the Result field.
3. The “Decimal Places” control lets you choose how many digits after the decimal you want in the output. You can set any value from 0 to 10. The calculation itself is not rounded until display.
4. The “Copy Result” button copies the current result into your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere.
5. The calculation line shows exactly how the number was produced, including the factor used.
6. “Clear All” resets the input, the decimal setting, the explanation line, and the output field.

Definitions of Measurement Units

Kilometers per Hour (km/h)

Kilometers per hour is a unit of speed that tells you how many kilometers are traveled in one hour. It is standard for road speed limits, vehicle dashboards, cycling computers, and weather reports. Abbreviation: km/h. System: metric (SI-derived). 1 km/h equals exactly 0.277777… m/s. In Imperial terms, 1 km/h is about 0.621371 miles per hour (mph). Because 1 kilometer is 1000 meters and 1 hour is 3600 seconds, 1 km/h is (1000 meters) / (3600 seconds) which is 1000 ÷ 3600 m/s.

Meters per Second (m/s)

Meters per second is the SI (International System of Units) base unit for speed. It reports how many meters are traveled in one second. Abbreviation: m/s. System: SI. 1 m/s equals exactly 3.6 km/h, because one second is 1/3600 of an hour and one meter is 1/1000 of a kilometer. In Imperial terms, 1 m/s is about 2.23694 mph. Meters per second is common in physics, ballistics, fluid flow, lab measurements, sprint performance analysis, and engineering calculations.

Conversion Formula

The direct formula is:

m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6

This comes from the definitions 1 kilometer = 1000 meters and 1 hour = 3600 seconds. So 1 km/h = 1000/3600 m/s = 1/3.6 m/s. Reference: Physics.info

Conversion Table

Real World Examples

• Residential speed limit in many urban areas: 30 km/h, which is 8.33 m/s. This is a posted legal limit for cars on calm neighborhood streets, not a guess.
• Typical city cycling pace on level ground: 20 km/h, which is 5.56 m/s. This reflects a steady commuter ride, not racing.
• School zone limit (common strict limit): 20 km/h, which is 5.56 m/s. This is enforced for pedestrian safety.
• Standard road speed limit in many countries on main city arterials: 50 km/h, which is 13.89 m/s.
• Typical signposted highway speed: 100 km/h, which is 27.78 m/s.
• High-speed rail service such as modern intercity trains: 300 km/h, which is 83.33 m/s.
• Strong winter storm wind warning levels often start around 90 km/h, which is 25.00 m/s. Meteorological alerts use both km/h and m/s depending on the agency.
• Fast professional sprint in track cycling during a final lap can exceed 70 km/h, which is 19.44 m/s.
• A well-thrown professional baseball pitch around 145 km/h equals 40.28 m/s. That is measured by radar and reported in km/h in many countries and mph in the U.S.
• Commercial jet on final approach typically moves near 260 km/h, which is 72.22 m/s. This is airspeed during landing, not cruise.

What do you usually need this calculator for? If there is another conversion or test you would like to see as an online tool, please tell us in the comments so we can consider adding it.

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