Convert speed units — km/h, mph, m/s, knots, Mach.
| Unit | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| m/s | Meter per Second | 0.3048 |
| km/h | Kilometer per Hour | 1.0972791 |
| mph | Mile per Hour | 0.68181818 |
| kn | Knot | 0.59248431 |
| Mach | Mach | 0.0008957066 |
Common foot per second values converted to knot — factor: 1 ft/s = 0.5925 kn
| Foot per Second (ft/s) | Knot (kn) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft/s | 0.5925 kn | Very slow |
| 5 ft/s | 2.962 kn | Walk |
| 10 ft/s | 5.925 kn | Jog |
| 20 ft/s | 11.85 kn | Sprint |
| 50 ft/s | 29.62 kn | Fast sprint |
| 88 ft/s | 52.14 kn | 60 mph car |
| 100 ft/s | 59.25 kn | 60 mph car |
| 147 ft/s | 87.1 kn | 100 mph car |
| 500 ft/s | 296.2 kn | Racing car |
| 880 ft/s | 521.4 kn | 600 mph jet |
| 1,000 ft/s | 592.5 kn | High-speed jet |
| 1,125 ft/s | 666.5 kn | Speed of sound |
| 2,200 ft/s | 1,303 kn | Rifle bullet |
| 3,000 ft/s | 1,777 kn | Fast bullet |
| 5,000 ft/s | 2,962 kn | Rocket |
Converting foot per second to knot is essential for drivers, pilots, engineers, and scientists working across different measurement systems. Road speed limits, aviation airspeed, nautical navigation, and physics calculations each use different speed units, making quick and accurate conversion a practical everyday skill.
Key reference points: 5 ft/s = 2.962 kn and 10 ft/s = 5.925 kn. At higher speeds, 100 ft/s = 59.25 kn. For reverse conversion, multiply kn values by 1.688 to get back to ft/s.
All conversions use the internationally recognized factor of exactly 1 ft/s = 0.5925 kn. Calculations are performed in IEEE 754 double-precision floating point, giving accuracy to at least 8 significant figures — more than sufficient for any practical application.
Formula: Knot = Foot per Second × 0.59248431
Multiply any foot per second value by 0.59248431 to get knot. One foot per second equals 0.59248431 kn.
Reverse: Foot per Second = Knot × 1.6878084
1 ft/s = 0.59248431 kn. Memorize this for instant mental estimates.
Use 0.5925 as a quick mental multiplier.
To verify: multiply your result by 1.6878084 to recover the original ft/s value.
Rates bullet muzzle velocity in feet per second for ammunition comparisons.
Measures duct air velocity in feet per second for airflow design.
Evaluates arrow speed in fps to optimize bow setup and shooting form.
Sets character movement speeds in fps for physics-based game engines.
Calculates water hammer and pipe flow velocities in ft/s.
References pitch speed, puck speed, and serve speed in fps for broadcast.
Feet per second is an Imperial unit of speed equal to exactly 0.3048 m/s. It was in common use in Britain and America from the 17th century, particularly in ballistics and military applications.
ft/s remains the standard in US ballistics: bullet velocities, muzzle speeds, and arrow velocities are universally quoted in feet per second. It also appears in HVAC airflow measurements and some engineering contexts.
Interesting fact: A typical rifle bullet travels at 900-1,200 ft/s (270-370 m/s). The speed of sound at sea level is approximately 1,125 ft/s.
The knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, approximately 1.852 km/h or 0.514 m/s. Its name comes from the historical practice of measuring ship speed by counting knots on a rope thrown overboard.
Knots are the international standard for maritime and aviation speed. All commercial aircraft, warships, and weather forecasts use knots. Air traffic control worldwide communicates in knots and feet.
Interesting fact: The cruising speed of a Boeing 747 is about 490 knots (907 km/h). Ocean currents are typically 0.5-1 knot, while Category 5 hurricanes sustain winds above 137 knots.