How to use the lightning distance calculator
Estimate how far a lightning strike is from the delay before thunder. Enter delay between flash and thunder in the field above; the distance, distance are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- t — Delay between flash and thunder (s)
Worked example
With delay between flash and thunder = 9 s, the calculator gives distance ≈ 3.087 km; distance ≈ 1.918172 miles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the lightning distance calculation?
Distance (km) = 343 × t / 1000. Distance (miles) = [Distance] × 0.621371. Here t is delay between flash and thunder (s).
What inputs do I need for the lightning distance calculator?
You need delay between flash and thunder in s. 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.