Feet per Second Squared to Meters per Second Squared Converter

Imperial vs Metric Acceleration

Feet per second squared (ft/s²) is the imperial unit of acceleration, while meters per second squared (m/s²) is the SI (metric) unit. The conversion factor of 0.3048 comes directly from the definition that 1 foot equals exactly 0.3048 meters.

Standard Gravity in Different Units

• •Metric: 9.80665 m/s² (standard gravity)
• •Imperial: 32.174 ft/s² (standard gravity)
• •Relationship: 32.174 ft/s² × 0.3048 = 9.80665 m/s²

Real-World Acceleration Examples

• •Free fall (Earth): 32.2 ft/s² or 9.81 m/s²
• •Sports car 0-60: 48-64 ft/s² or 14.6-19.5 m/s²
• •Emergency braking: 20-30 ft/s² or 6.1-9.1 m/s²
• •Elevator start/stop: 3-5 ft/s² or 0.9-1.5 m/s²
• •Rocket launch: 96-128 ft/s² or 29.3-39 m/s²

Applications in Engineering

• •Structural engineering: Calculating forces during earthquakes
• •Automotive design: Testing crash safety and performance
• •Aerospace: Designing aircraft and spacecraft systems
• •Mechanical systems: Analyzing motion in machinery

How do I convert ft/s² to m/s²?

To convert feet per second squared to meters per second squared, multiply the ft/s² value by 0.3048. For example, 10 ft/s² × 0.3048 = 3.048 m/s². This conversion uses the exact definition that 1 foot = 0.3048 meters.

Why is the conversion factor exactly 0.3048?

The conversion factor 0.3048 is exact because it's based on the international definition of a foot, established in 1959. One international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. This makes conversions between imperial and metric acceleration units precise and consistent.

Which unit is more commonly used?

Meters per second squared (m/s²) is the SI unit and is used in most scientific and engineering contexts worldwide. Feet per second squared (ft/s²) is primarily used in the United States for certain engineering applications, particularly in industries that traditionally work with imperial units.

How do these units relate to g-force?

Standard gravity (1 g) equals 9.80665 m/s² or 32.174 ft/s². To convert from ft/s² to g, divide by 32.174. To convert from m/s² to g, divide by 9.80665. For example, 64.348 ft/s² = 2 g, and 19.6133 m/s² = 2 g.

What's the practical difference when calculating?

The main practical difference is in the magnitude of numbers. Since a foot is smaller than a meter, ft/s² values are about 3.28 times larger than equivalent m/s² values. Engineers must be careful to use consistent units throughout calculations to avoid errors.

How does acceleration relate to velocity?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. If a car accelerates at 10 ft/s² (3.048 m/s²), its velocity increases by 10 ft/s (or 3.048 m/s) every second. After 5 seconds, the velocity change would be 50 ft/s (15.24 m/s), assuming constant acceleration.