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Speed, Distance and Time Formula: Examples and Average Speed

Speed, Distance and Time Formula: Examples and Average Speed — illustration
In short: speed = distance ÷ time. A car covering 150 km in 3 hours has a speed of 50 km/h.

The three formulas

  • speed = distance ÷ time
  • distance = speed × time
  • time = distance ÷ speed
60 km/h for 2.5 hours
AnswerDistance = 150
Step-by-step working 1 steps
  1. 1
    distance = speed × time
    60 × 2.5 = 150

Keep the units consistent

If speed is in km/h, time must be in hours. 30 minutes is 0.5 hours. To convert km/h to m/s divide by 3.6.

90 km at 60 km/h
AnswerTime = 1.5
  • If hours: 1 h 30 min
Step-by-step working 2 steps
  1. 1
    time = distance ÷ speed
    90 ÷ 60 = 1.5
  2. 2
    If the time unit is hours
    1.5 h = 1 h 30 min

Average speed on a round trip

Drive 120 km out at 60 km/h and back at 40 km/h. Times: 2 h and 3 h, total 5 h for 240 km, so the average is 48 km/h — not 50.

Use the speed, distance and time calculator and the unit converter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert minutes to hours?

Divide by 60: 45 minutes is 0.75 hours.

What is average speed?

Total distance divided by total time.

Written and reviewed by Mateuss M.

Mateuss M. writes and reviews mathematical content for CalcSolver, focusing on online calculators, formulas, equations, and practical math tools. He reviews calculator functionality, calculation methods, formulas, examples, and explanations to help ensure that each tool is clear, useful, and easy to understand.

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