20 meters per second is approximately 44.7387 miles per hour (mph).
The conversion from meters per second to miles per hour involves multiplying the speed value by a factor that converts meters to miles and seconds to hours. This allows for expressing speed in mph, which is more familiar in some regions.
Conversion Tool
Result in mph:
Conversion Formula
The formula converts meters per second (m/s) to miles per hour (mph) by multiplying the speed by 2.23694. This factor comes from two unit conversions combined: meters to miles and seconds to hours.
1 mile = 1609.344 meters, and 1 hour = 3600 seconds. So, to convert m/s to mph:
- Divide meters by 1609.344 to get miles.
- Multiply seconds by 3600 to get hours.
- Putting it together: (meters/second) × (3600 seconds/hour) ÷ (1609.344 meters/mile) = mph.
Example: Convert 20 m/s to mph.
Step 1: Multiply 20 by 3600 = 72000 meters/hour.
Step 2: Divide 72000 by 1609.344 ≈ 44.7387 mph.
Conversion Example
- Convert 10 m/s to mph:
- Multiply 10 by 2.23694 = 22.3694 mph.
- The speed 10 m/s equals 22.3694 mph.
- Convert 5 m/s to mph:
- 5 × 2.23694 = 11.1847 mph.
- This means 5 meters per second is 11.1847 miles per hour.
- Convert 15 m/s to mph:
- 15 × 2.23694 = 33.5541 mph.
- Therefore, 15 m/s equals 33.5541 mph.
- Convert 30 m/s to mph:
- 30 × 2.23694 = 67.1082 mph.
- So, 30 meters per second is 67.1082 miles per hour.
Conversion Chart
| Meters per second (m/s) | Miles per hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | -11.1847 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 11.1847 |
| 10.0 | 22.3694 |
| 15.0 | 33.5541 |
| 20.0 | 44.7387 |
| 25.0 | 55.9235 |
| 30.0 | 67.1082 |
| 35.0 | 78.2929 |
| 40.0 | 89.4776 |
| 45.0 | 100.6623 |
You can use this chart to quickly find approximate mph values for speeds given in meters per second. Negative values represent speeds in the opposite direction, zero means no movement.
Related Conversion Questions
- How fast is 20 meters per second in miles per hour?
- What is the mph equivalent of 20 m/s speed?
- Convert 20 meters per second to miles per hour instantly?
- How to calculate mph from 20 meters moved each second?
- Is 20 meters per second faster than 40 mph?
- What does 20 m/s convert to in miles per hour for running speed?
- How many mph does 20 meters per second equal on the highway?
Conversion Definitions
Meters: A meter is a metric unit of length, equal to 100 centimeters or approximately 39.37 inches. It serves as the base unit for length in the International System of Units (SI), used worldwide for measuring distance or height in scientific and everyday contexts.
Miles per hour (mph): Miles per hour is a unit of speed expressing the number of miles traveled in one hour. Commonly used in the United States and the UK for road speed limits, it helps represent velocity in a familiar scale for transportation and travel.
Conversion FAQs
Why multiply meters per second by 2.23694 to get mph?
The factor 2.23694 comes from converting meters to miles and seconds to hours combined. Since 1 mile equals 1609.344 meters and 1 hour has 3600 seconds, multiplying by 3600/1609.344 converts the units correctly to miles per hour.
Can this conversion be used for any speed value?
Yes, any speed given in meters per second can be converted to miles per hour by using the same multiplication factor. Negative values indicate direction but the formula applies uniformly. Accuracy depends on using the exact conversion constants.
Is there a quick way to convert meters per second to mph without calculator?
You can approximate by multiplying the m/s value by 2.24 for a rough estimate. While less precise, it gives a good sense of the speed in mph when no calculator is handy.
Does converting 20 meters to mph mean the same as 20 m/s to mph?
Converting “20 meters” alone to mph is incomplete because mph measures speed, which is distance over time. “20 meters per second” (20 m/s) is a speed, so the conversion to mph requires that time component for meaning.
Why do some sources use slightly different conversion factors?
Some sources round the factor 2.23694 to 2.237 or 2.24 for simplicity. This small difference causes minor rounding errors but won’t greatly affect typical speed conversions.