Velocity Calculator
Calculate final velocity using the kinematic equation v = v₀ + at. Enter initial velocity, acceleration, and time.
FINAL VELOCITY
49.05 m/s
IN km/h
176.58 km/h
DISPLACEMENT
122.625 m
FORMULA
v = v₀ + at
💡 How to Calculate Velocity
What Is Velocity?
Velocity is a vector quantity that describes both the speed and direction of an object's motion. While speed tells you how fast something is moving, velocity tells you how fast and in which direction.
The SI unit of velocity is meters per second (m/s). A car traveling at 60 mph north has a velocity of 26.8 m/s north. If the car turns around and goes 60 mph south, its speed is the same but its velocity has changed direction.
How to Calculate Velocity
Velocity Formula (Kinematic Equation)
When an object moves with constant acceleration, its final velocity can be found using the simplest of the four kinematic (SUVAT) equations:
Where:
- v = final velocity (m/s)
- v₀ = initial velocity (m/s)
- a = acceleration (m/s²)
- t = time (s)
Worked Example: Free Fall
An object dropped from rest (v₀ = 0) falls under gravity (a = 9.81 m/s²) for 5 seconds:
v = 0 + 9.81 × 5 = 49.05 m/s (about 110 mph)
After 10 seconds: v = 98.1 m/s (220 mph). This illustrates how rapidly velocity increases during free fall — although in reality, terminal velocity limits the maximum speed due to air resistance.
Velocity vs. Speed
Speed is the magnitude of velocity. A car traveling at 60 mph has a speed of 60 mph regardless of direction. Velocity requires direction — 60 mph north is a different velocity than 60 mph south. Use our average velocity calculator to find velocity from displacement and time.