Convert Acceleration Units
Acceleration Converter
Acceleration Conversion Chart
Key acceleration unit relationships. The SI unit is the meter per second squared (m/s²).
SI & CGS Units
| 1 m/s² | = | 100 cm/s² |
| 1 m/s² | = | 100 Gal |
| 1 Gal | = | 0.01 m/s² |
| 1 km/h/s | = | 0.27778 m/s² |
Imperial & US Units
| 1 ft/s² | = | 0.3048 m/s² | exact |
| 1 in/s² | = | 0.0254 m/s² | exact |
| 1 mph/s | = | 0.44704 m/s² | exact |
Reference Standards
| 1 g | = | 9.80665 m/s² | exact |
| 1 knot/s | = | 0.514444 m/s² |
Standard gravity (g) is defined as exactly 9.80665 m/s² by the 3rd CGPM (1901). Imperial factors derive from the International Yard and Pound Agreement (1959): 1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly.
About Acceleration Units
Vehicle Performance
Acceleration of cars and motorcycles is often expressed in km/h/s or mph/s (e.g., "0-100 km/h in 6 seconds" = 4.63 m/s² ≈ 0.47 g). Engineers use m/s² or ft/s² for precise calculations.
Aerospace & Human G-loads
Pilots, astronauts, and roller coaster engineers use the g-force unit. Normal standing = 1 g. Fighter jet turns reach 6-9 g. Space launches sustain ~3 g.
Geophysics & Gravimetry
The Gal (galileo) is used in geophysics to measure small variations in gravitational acceleration. 1 Gal = 1 cm/s² = 0.01 m/s². Named after Galileo Galilei.
Popular Acceleration Conversions
Vehicle Performance
Aerospace / G-loads
Geophysics
Marine / Aviation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
Velocity measures how fast an object moves in a specific direction (e.g., 60 km/h north). Acceleration measures how quickly that velocity changes over time (e.g., speeding up by 10 m/s every second = 10 m/s²). A car travelling at constant speed has zero acceleration, even at high velocity.
What does 1 g of acceleration feel like?
1 g equals 9.80665 m/s² — the acceleration due to Earth's gravity. Standing still, you experience 1 g downward. In a car accelerating hard (0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds), you feel about 1 g pushing you into the seat. Roller coasters can reach 3-4 g, and fighter pilots experience up to 9 g during sharp turns.
Why are there so many acceleration units?
Different fields use units suited to their scale: m/s² is the SI standard for physics, ft/s² is used in US engineering, g (standard gravity) expresses human-experienced forces, km/h/s and mph/s are practical for vehicle performance, and the galileo (Gal) is used in geophysics for measuring tiny gravitational variations.
How do I convert between acceleration units?
All acceleration units express the same physical quantity (change in velocity per unit time). To convert, multiply by the appropriate factor. Key factors: 1 g = 9.80665 m/s², 1 ft/s² = 0.3048 m/s², 1 km/h/s = 0.27778 m/s², 1 Gal = 0.01 m/s². Use our converter above for instant, accurate results.
Related Converter Categories
- Speed Converter — Acceleration = change in speed ÷ time
- Weight Converter — Force = mass × acceleration (F = ma)
