Miles per hour.
mph to ft/s Converter — mph to ft/s
Convert mph (mph) to ft/s (ft/s) using the exact conversion factor (1 mph = 1.466666667 ft/s). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
mph to ft/s converter
Converter
Speed Converter
Convert road, aviation, marine, lab, and scientific speed units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Feet per second.
Result = input x 0.44704 / 0.3048.
Speed uses meters per second as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting mph to ft/s
mph and ft/s both describe speed, and the conversion matters whenever a maritime or aviation speed (knots) needs to be compared against a road speed (mph). mph is most often used for road speed limits and vehicle speedometers in the us and uk.
Formula
ft/s = mph × 1.46666666667
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 mph equals 0.44704 base units, and 1 ft/s equals 0.3048 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct mph-to-ft/s factor of 1.46666666667.
Simple example
1 mph × 1.466666667 = 1.466666667 ft/s
1 mph = 1.466666667 ft/s.
Real-world example
10 mph × 1.466666667 = 14.66666667 ft/s
10 mph = 14.66666667 ft/s.
Conversion table
| mph (mph) | ft/s (ft/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 mph | 1.466666667 ft/s |
| 5 mph | 7.333333333 ft/s |
| 10 mph | 14.66666667 ft/s |
| 25 mph | 36.66666667 ft/s |
| 50 mph | 73.33333333 ft/s |
| 100 mph | 146.6666667 ft/s |
Reverse conversion: ft/s to mph
1.466666667 ft/s × 0.6818181818 = 1 mph
1.466666667 ft/s = 1 mph.
mph = ft/s × 0.681818181818
For a page dedicated to this direction, see ft/s to mph.
Understanding the mph
mph (mph) measures speed. Miles per hour follows directly from the international statute mile (1,609.344 m) divided by one hour. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (road speed limits and vehicle speedometers) United Kingdom (road speed limits)
Uses of the mph today
- Road speed limits and vehicle speedometers in the US and UK
- Weather reporting (wind speed) in the US
- Sports statistics (e.g. pitch speed, wind gusts) in US media
History of the mph
Miles per hour is a compound unit with no separate origin story of its own — it follows automatically once the statute mile was fixed at 5,280 feet in 1593 and later refined to exactly 1,609.344 meters by the 1959 international agreement that also standardized the pound.
Historical origin. mph was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the ft/s (ft/s)
Feet per second.
mph — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Basis for the modern mile used in mph.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many ft/s are in 1 mph?
1 mph equals 1.466666667 ft/s, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert mph to ft/s?
Multiply the mph value by 1.466666667. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert ft/s back to mph?
Use the reverse factor: 1 ft/s equals 0.6818181818 mph. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a mph?
mph (mph) measures speed. Miles per hour follows directly from the international statute mile (1,609.344 m) divided by one hour. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a ft/s?
ft/s (ft/s) is a unit of speed.
Is the mph to ft/s conversion exact?
Yes. Both mph and ft/s are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1.466666667 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the mph still used today?
United States (road speed limits and vehicle speedometers) United Kingdom (road speed limits)