Acceleration Calculator
Find acceleration from a change in speed over time, from force and mass, or from the distance covered.
Acceleration
2.7 m/s²
- In other units
- 2.7 m/s² · 8.8583 ft/s² · 0.2753 g
Acceleration is the change in speed divided by the time it took.
Calculation breakdown
| Step | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Acceleration in m/s² | (27 − 0) m/s ÷ 10 s | 2.7 |
How it works
Pick how you want to calculate, then enter the values. Acceleration is assumed constant.
Worked example
An airplane lands at 70.0 m/s and slows to 10.0 m/s in 40.0 seconds:
- Change in speed: 10 − 70 = −60 m/s
- Acceleration: −60 ÷ 40 = −1.5 m/s²
- In other units, that is about −4.92 ft/s², or −0.153 g
Constant acceleration only
These formulas assume a steady acceleration. For a changing one they give the average over the interval.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate acceleration?
Divide the change in speed by the time it took, a = (v − v₀) ÷ t. An airplane slowing from 70 m/s to 10 m/s over 40 seconds has an acceleration of −1.5 m/s². The negative sign means it slows down.
How do you find acceleration from force and mass?
Divide the net force by the mass, a = F ÷ m. A 1,500 newton force on a 1,200 kilogram car gives 1.25 m/s².
How do you find acceleration from distance and time?
Start from d = v₀t + ½at² and solve for a, which gives a = 2(d − v₀t) ÷ t². Starting from rest and covering 402 meters in 5.56 seconds is about 26 m/s².
What is acceleration in g?
One g is the standard acceleration of gravity, 9.80665 m/s². Going from 0 to 60 mph in 10 seconds is 2.68 m/s², about 0.27 g.
Can acceleration be negative?
Yes. Negative acceleration, often called deceleration, means the speed is falling in the direction of travel. The calculator allows a final speed lower than the starting speed.