Library / Tools / Physics equation calculator / Speed, distance and time

Speed, distance and time calculator

GCSEA-level Motion

Average speed is the distance travelled divided by the time taken.

v = s / t

This free calculator is for GCSE and A-level physics. Choose the quantity you want to find, enter the other values with their units, and it shows the working in the layout used in exams, with the answer to the number of significant figures you choose. The values shown are an example. Change them to your own.

Quantity to find

vAverage speed to find 12.5 m/s

sDistance travelled

tTime taken

Significant figures

Working

Write the equation
v = s / t
Substitute the values
v = 150 ÷ 12
Calculate
v = 12.5 m/s
Give the answer to 3 significant figures
v = 12.5 m/s

Worked example

Find v, the average speed. Given: distance travelled s = 150 m; time taken t = 12.0 s.

Write the equation
v = s / t
Substitute the values
v = 150 ÷ 12
Calculate
v = 12.5 m/s
Give the answer to 3 significant figures
v = 12.5 m/s

Symbols and units

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit
v	Average speed	m/s
s	Distance travelled	m
t	Time taken	s

Speed, distance and time: rearranged

To find average speed: v = s / t
To find distance travelled: s = v t
To find time taken: t = s / v

Exam tip

Convert km to m and minutes or hours to seconds before you substitute, unless every quantity is already in matching units.

Common questions

What is the formula for speed, distance and time?

The equation is v = s / t, where v is the average speed (m/s); s is the distance travelled (m); t is the time taken (s).

What units should I use for speed, distance and time?

In SI units: average speed in m/s, distance travelled in m, time taken in s. The calculator also accepts common alternatives such as kilometres, grams or minutes, and converts them for you.

How do I rearrange v = s / t?

Rearranging gives these forms: to find average speed: v = s / t. to find distance travelled: s = v t. to find time taken: t = s / v.

Practise speed, distance and time questions

Include unit conversions (km, g, minutes…)

Press the button for a question with random numbers. Work it out on paper first, then type your answer.

More motion equations: Acceleration, Final velocity, Velocity squared, Displacement under constant acceleration, Displacement from average velocity, Momentum, Force and change in momentum, Centripetal force. See the full list on the physics equation calculator page.