72 KPH to MPS – Answer with Formula

72 kilometers per hour (kph) is equal to 20 meters per second (mps).

To convert 72 kph to mps, you divide the speed in kilometers per hour by 3.6, because there are 1000 meters in a kilometer and 3600 seconds in an hour. This conversion factor changes the units correctly from km/h to m/s.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

To convert kilometers per hour to meters per second, the formula is:

mps = kph ÷ 3.6

This works cause 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters, and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. So to convert, you must change kilometers to meters by multiplying by 1000, and change hours to seconds by multiplying by 3600. When you divide 1000 meters by 3600 seconds, the factor becomes 1/3.6.

Example: Convert 72 kph to mps

• 72 kph × 1000 = 72000 meters per hour
• 72000 meters per hour ÷ 3600 seconds = 20 meters per second
• Or simply, 72 ÷ 3.6 = 20 mps

Conversion Example

• Convert 54 kph to mps:
  • Divide 54 by 3.6
  • 54 ÷ 3.6 = 15 mps
  • So, 54 kph equals 15 meters per second
• Convert 90 kph to mps:
  • Divide 90 by 3.6
  • 90 ÷ 3.6 = 25 mps
  • This means 90 kph is 25 meters per second
• Convert 36 kph to mps:
  • 36 ÷ 3.6 = 10 mps
  • Therefore, 36 kph equals 10 meters per second
• Convert 81 kph to mps:
  • 81 ÷ 3.6 = 22.5 mps
  • Hence, 81 kilometers per hour is 22.5 meters per second
• Convert 60 kph to mps:
  • 60 ÷ 3.6 = 16.6667 mps
  • So 60 kph corresponds to approximately 16.67 meters per second

Conversion Chart

This chart shows conversions from kilometers per hour to meters per second for values from 47.0 up to 97.0. To use it, find the kph value in the left column and read across to see the equivalent speed in mps.

Related Conversion Questions

• How fast is 72 kilometers per hour when converted to meters per second?
• What is the meters per second equivalent of 72 kph speed?
• If I drive at 72 kph, what speed is that in mps?
• How do I change 72 kph into meters per second?
• Can 72 kilometers per hour be converted directly to meters per second?
• What formula should I use to convert 72 kph to mps?
• Is 72 kph faster than 20 mps or slower?

Conversion Definitions

kph (kilometers per hour): A unit of speed describing how many kilometers are traveled in one hour. It is widely used for measuring vehicle speeds, especially in countries using the metric system. It shows the distance covered per hour, useful for travel time calculations and speed regulations.

mps (meters per second): A speed unit showing how many meters an object moves every second. Commonly used in physics and engineering to describe velocity, it provides a smaller time scale compared to kph. This unit allows more precise measurement of speed in shorter intervals.

Conversion FAQs

Why is the conversion factor 3.6 when converting kph to mps?

Because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds, you need to adjust for both units. Dividing 1000 meters by 3600 seconds gives the conversion factor 1/3.6. So dividing the speed in kph by 3.6 gives the speed in mps. This keeps the numerical value consistent with unit changes.

Can I convert mps back to kph using the same method?

Yes, to convert meters per second back into kilometers per hour, multiply the mps value by 3.6. This reverses the original division, because the time and distance units are scaled back to kilometers and hours respectively. For example, 20 mps × 3.6 = 72 kph.

Is 72 kph considered a fast speed in everyday driving?

72 kph or 20 mps is moderate speed on many roads, especially urban or suburban areas. It’s faster than typical city traffic but slower than highway speeds. Perception of speed depends on road type, traffic, and conditions, but 72 kph is common on secondary roads or speed limits in residential zones.

Why might someone prefer to use meters per second instead of kilometers per hour?

Meters per second is more precise for scientific measurements, especially where time intervals are short. It’s useful in physics for calculating velocity, acceleration, or forces. Kilometers per hour are easier for daily use because they relate to longer time scales and distances people travel by car or bike.

Are there any common errors when converting between kph and mps?

Yes, often people forget to divide by 3.6 or mistakenly multiply instead. Another mistake is mixing units like using miles instead of kilometers. Using the wrong conversion factor leads to incorrect speeds, which could cause confusion or safety issues if applied in real-world contexts.