120 KPH to MPS – Easy Conversion Explained

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you.

120 kilometers per hour is equal to 33.3333 meters per second.

To convert 120 kph to mps, the speed in kilometers per hour is multiplied by 1000 to get meters per hour, then divided by 3600 to convert hours to seconds. This process changes the unit from km/h to m/s accurately.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert kilometers per hour (kph) to meters per second (mps) is:

mps = kph × (1000 meters / 1 kilometer) ÷ (3600 seconds / 1 hour)

This formula works because it converts kilometers to meters by multiplying by 1000, and then converts hours to seconds by dividing by 3600. So, the unit changes correctly from kilometers/hour to meters/second.

Example:

• Given speed = 120 kph
• Convert kilometers to meters: 120 × 1000 = 120,000 meters/hour
• Convert hours to seconds: 120,000 ÷ 3600 = 33.3333 meters/second

Conversion Example

• Convert 90 kph to mps:
  • Multiply by 1000: 90 × 1000 = 90,000 meters/hour
  • Divide by 3600: 90,000 ÷ 3600 = 25 mps
• Convert 150 kph to mps:
  • 150 × 1000 = 150,000 meters/hour
  • 150,000 ÷ 3600 = 41.6667 mps
• Convert 100 kph to mps:
  • 100 × 1000 = 100,000 meters/hour
  • 100,000 ÷ 3600 ≈ 27.7778 mps
• Convert 110 kph to mps:
  • 110 × 1000 = 110,000 meters/hour
  • 110,000 ÷ 3600 ≈ 30.5556 mps

Conversion Chart

The chart helps to quickly find the meters per second equivalent for speeds between 95 and 145 kph. To use, locate the kph value in the left column and read the corresponding mps value on the right.

Related Conversion Questions

• How do you convert 120 kph to meters per second?
• What is the formula for changing 120 kilometers per hour into mps?
• Is 33.33 mps the exact equivalent of 120 kph?
• How fast is 120 kph in mps for running speed?
• Why does 120 kph equal about 33.33 meters per second?
• Can I use a calculator to convert 120 kph to mps?
• What is the step by step conversion for 120 kph to mps?

Conversion Definitions

kph: Kilometers per hour (kph) is a unit of speed expressing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour. It’s commonly used in countries using the metric system to measure vehicle speeds, describes how far something moves over time in kilometers per 60 minutes.

mps: Meters per second (mps) is a measure of speed indicating how many meters are covered every second. This unit is part of the International System of Units (SI), useful for scientific and engineering applications where precise speed measurement over short time intervals needed.

Conversion FAQs

Why is the divisor 3600 used in the conversion formula?

The divisor 3600 converts hours into seconds because there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour, multiplying to 3600 seconds per hour. Without dividing by 3600, the speed would remain in meters per hour, not meters per second.

Can I convert mps back to kph easily?

Yes, by multiplying meters per second by 3.6, you convert back to kilometers per hour. Since 1 mps equals 3.6 kph, reversing the calculation is straightforward by reversing the factor.

Are there any common mistakes when converting kph to mps?

Many people forget to convert hours into seconds properly, skipping the division by 3600, which results in incorrect values. Also, confusing meters with kilometers during conversion leads to errors.

Why is 120 kph equals 33.3333 mps and not a whole number?

Because converting units involves fractions. One kilometer is 1000 meters, and one hour is 3600 seconds; their ratio (1000/3600) results in a repeating decimal which causes the speed in mps to be a non-integer value.

Is this conversion valid for all speeds?

Yes, the formula applies for any speed value in kph. The unit conversion remains consistent, so whether it’s 10 or 500 kph, multiplying by 1000 and dividing by 3600 will yield the correct meters per second.