Feet per Second to Miles per Hour Converter

Understanding Speed Units

Feet per second (fps) and miles per hour (mph) are both units used to measure speed, but they serve different purposes in various fields. Understanding the relationship between these units is essential for applications ranging from ballistics and sports to engineering and transportation.

The Mathematical Relationship

The exact conversion between fps and mph is based on the following relationship:

• 1 mile = 5,280 feet
• 1 hour = 3,600 seconds

Therefore, to convert from fps to mph:

And to convert from mph to fps:

Practical Applications

Ballistics and Firearms

In ballistics, bullet velocities are typically measured in fps. This unit provides more precise increments for ballistic calculations. Understanding the mph equivalent can help visualize just how fast projectiles are moving:

• Typical pistol ammunition: 750-1400 fps (511-955 mph)
• Rifle ammunition: 2000-4000 fps (1364-2727 mph)
• Shotgun slugs: 1200-1800 fps (818-1227 mph)

For reference, the speed of sound at sea level is approximately 1125 fps or 767 mph. Bullets traveling faster than this threshold create a sonic crack and are considered supersonic.

Sports and Athletics

Many sports measure speeds in different units:

• Baseball pitch speeds: Often measured in mph but can be converted to fps for physics analysis
• Tennis serves: Similarly measured in mph but conversion helps with technical analysis
• Track and field: Sprinters' speeds are typically calculated in mph but can be expressed in fps for scientific study

Engineering and Transportation

Different fields use different speed units for historical and practical reasons:

• Vehicle speeds: Typically measured in mph (or km/h) for easier human comprehension
• Fluid dynamics: Often uses fps in calculations
• Aviation: Uses knots (nautical miles per hour) but conversions to fps may be needed for engineering purposes

Extended Conversion Table

Historical Context

The foot per second (fps) has been used for centuries in scientific measurements, especially in ballistics and fluid dynamics. Miles per hour (mph) became more common with the development of automobiles and modern transportation, offering a more intuitive way to measure longer distances over time.

To convert feet per second to miles per hour, follow these steps:

1. 1
   Take the speed in feet per second
2. 2
   Divide by 1.46667 (the conversion factor)