How to use the speed of sound calculator
Compute the speed of sound in air at a temperature. Enter air temperature in the field above; the speed of sound, speed of sound, mach 1 are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- T — Air temperature (°C)
Worked example
With air temperature = 20 °C, the calculator gives speed of sound ≈ 343.2146 m/s; speed of sound ≈ 1,235.573 km/h; mach 1 ≈ 767.7491 mph.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the speed of sound calculation?
Speed of sound (m/s) = 331.3 × √(1+T / 273.15). Speed of sound (km/h) = [Speed of sound] × 3.6. Mach 1 (mph) = [Speed of sound] × 2.236936. Here T is air temperature (°C).
What inputs do I need for the speed of sound calculator?
You need air temperature in °C. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.