Miles per Hour to Feet per Second Converter
Convert speed from miles per hour (mph) to feet per second (fps) easily and accurately.
Enter Your Speed in MPH
Table of Contents
Comprehensive Guide to MPH to FPS Conversion
Understanding MPH and FPS Units
Speed conversion between miles per hour (mph) and feet per second (fps) is essential in various fields including physics, engineering, sports, and transportation. This guide covers everything you need to know about these units and how to convert between them.
Miles per Hour (mph)
Miles per hour is a unit of speed expressing the distance traveled in miles in one hour. It is the standard unit used for:
- Vehicle speed limits in the US and UK
- Car speedometers
- Weather systems (wind speeds)
- Sports like baseball, racing, and cycling
Feet per Second (fps)
Feet per second measures the distance in feet traveled in one second. It is commonly used in:
- Ballistics and projectile motion
- Fluid dynamics and flow rates
- Sports analysis (ball speeds)
- Engineering applications
- Video frame rates (frames per second)
Mathematical Basis of Conversion
The conversion between mph and fps is based on the relationship between miles, feet, hours, and seconds:
- 1 mile = 5,280 feet
- 1 hour = 3,600 seconds
1 mph = 1 mile/hour = 5,280 feet/3,600 seconds = 1.46667 fps
Therefore, to convert mph to fps, multiply the speed in mph by 1.46667.
Practical Applications
Transportation
When analyzing vehicle stopping distances or collision physics, engineers often convert from mph to fps. A vehicle traveling at 60 mph is moving at 88 fps, which means it covers 88 feet every second—crucial information for safety calculations.
Sports Science
In baseball, a 90 mph fastball travels at approximately 132 fps. Sports analysts use this conversion to calculate reaction times for batters, who typically have less than half a second to react.
Ballistics
Bullet velocities are often measured in fps. A bullet traveling at 2,500 fps is moving at approximately 1,705 mph, demonstrating the high speeds involved in ballistics.
Engineering
Flow rates in pipes, air movement in ventilation systems, and hydraulic calculations often require conversion between different speed units, including fps and mph.
Conversion Table
| Miles per Hour (mph) | Feet per Second (fps) | Common Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mph | 7.33 fps | Average walking pace |
| 15 mph | 22 fps | Typical cycling speed |
| 25 mph | 36.67 fps | Residential speed limit |
| 45 mph | 66 fps | Highway speed limit |
| 60 mph | 88 fps | Expressway speed limit |
| 90 mph | 132 fps | Fast baseball pitch |
| 100 mph | 146.67 fps | High-speed racing |
Historical Context
The mile per hour unit originated in the British Imperial system and was later adopted by the United States. Feet per second became prominent during the scientific revolution when physicists needed more precise measurements for motion studies. While most countries now use the metric system (meters per second, kilometers per hour), mph and fps remain common in the US and some other countries.
Did You Know?
In physics and engineering calculations, the conversion factor 1.46667 is derived from the ratio of 5,280 feet per mile to 3,600 seconds per hour (5280 ÷ 3600 = 1.46667).
Conclusion
Understanding the relationship between miles per hour and feet per second is essential in many scientific, engineering, and everyday applications. The conversion factor of 1.46667 allows for quick calculations between these two important units of speed measurement.
How to Convert MPH to FPS
To convert miles per hour to feet per second, follow these steps:
-
1Take the speed in miles per hour
-
2Multiply by 1.46667 (the conversion factor)
60 mph = 60 × 1.46667 = 88 fps
30 mph = 30 × 1.46667 = 44 fps
100 mph = 100 × 1.46667 = 146.67 fps
Common Examples
Example 1 60 mph
60 mph = 88 fps
Example 2 30 mph
30 mph = 44 fps
Example 3 100 mph
100 mph = 146.67 fps
Example 4 15 mph
15 mph = 22 fps