Speed of Sound Calculator
Calculate the speed of sound in air, water, or steel at any temperature.
Includes unit conversion between m/s, ft/s, mph, and km/h.
Speed of Sound
Speed of sound depends on the medium and its temperature.
In air (ideal gas approximation):
v = 331.3 + 0.606 × T
Where v = speed in m/s and T = temperature in °C. At 20°C, sound travels at about 343 m/s (767 mph).
In water:
v ≈ 1402.4 + 5.01T − 0.055T² + 0.00022T³
At 20°C, sound travels at about 1,482 m/s in fresh water.
In steel: Sound travels at approximately 5,960 m/s at room temperature, with minimal variation.
Comparison of media at 20°C:
| Medium | Speed |
|---|---|
| Air | 343 m/s |
| Water | 1,482 m/s |
| Steel | 5,960 m/s |
Key facts:
- Sound travels faster in denser media
- Higher temperature generally increases speed in gases
- The speed of sound in air is roughly 1 mile in 5 seconds (the flash-to-thunder rule)