How to Convert Feet per second to Metres per second (ft/s to m/s)
Speed conversions come up with expressway limits in km/h, foreign car specs in mph and wind speeds reported in knots by the Meteorological Service. This guide shows how to convert feet per second into metres per second by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert feet per second to metres per second, multiply the value by 0.3048. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 3.280839895). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 0.3.
Metres per second = feet per second × 0.3048
Worked examples
- 3 ft/s = 0.9144 m/s
- 12.5 ft/s = 3.81 m/s
- 75 ft/s = 22.86 m/s
Feet per second to Metres per second table
| Feet per second | Metres per second |
|---|---|
| 1 ft/s | 0.3048 m/s |
| 2 ft/s | 0.6096 m/s |
| 5 ft/s | 1.524 m/s |
| 10 ft/s | 3.048 m/s |
| 20 ft/s | 6.096 m/s |
| 25 ft/s | 7.62 m/s |
| 50 ft/s | 15.24 m/s |
| 100 ft/s | 30.48 m/s |
| 250 ft/s | 76.2 m/s |
| 500 ft/s | 152.4 m/s |
| 1,000 ft/s | 304.8 m/s |
Common questions
Is ft/s to m/s exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Metres per second to Feet per second converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Forgetting squared and cubed units
Area and volume factors are the length factor squared or cubed, so 1 m² is about 10.76 sq ft, not 3.28.
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Background
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
For everyday use, three or four significant figures are usually enough. Engineering, science and trade documents may need more, and rounding should happen only at the end of a calculation.
For any value, use the Feet per second to Metres per second Converter or browse all speed converters.
Run your own numbers: Feet per second to Metres per second Converter