Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Convert km/h → m/s
About this conversion
One km/h equals 0.277778 m/s (divide by 3.6). The link between everyday metric speed and the scientific standard unit.
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Why this conversion matters
Sprint and throwing events (and ball-tracking data in football, cricket and tennis) are often reported in metres per second rather than km/h — it's the standard SI unit for scientific and biomechanics analysis. Converting between the two lets you compare a broadcast speed-gun reading (usually km/h or mph) against research or coaching data given in m/s.
FAQ
Why do scientists use m/s instead of km/h for sports speed?
Metres per second is the SI (International System of Units) standard for velocity, making it the default unit in biomechanics research, physics calculations and most sports-science literature.
What's the m/s equivalent of a 100m sprint world record pace?
Usain Bolt's 100m world record (9.58s) averages roughly 10.44 m/s (37.58 km/h), though his peak speed mid-race was closer to 12.3 m/s.
Is ball speed in cricket or tennis measured in km/h or m/s?
Broadcasts almost always show km/h or mph for fan-friendly headline numbers, but the underlying tracking data (Hawk-Eye, radar guns) is typically captured and analysed in m/s.