Speed of Sound in Air Calculator

Calculate the speed of sound in air from temperature. Shows m/s, km/h, Mach 1 reference, and time to travel 1 km.

Input

Enter the air temperature to calculate how fast sound travels through air.

Temperature preset

Pick from common temperatures.

Air temperature

Enter the temperature in Celsius.

Speed of sound in air

340.39m/s

at 15 C

Speed in km/h

1,225.404 km/h

Mach 1 reference

Mach 1

Time to travel 1 km

2.937807 s

Calculated with the approximation c = 331.3 + 0.606 × temperature(C). 331.3 m/s is the speed at 0 C.

Uses the approximation c = 331.3 + 0.606 × temperature(C) to find the speed. 331.3 m/s is the speed in dry air at 0 C, and 0.606 is the increase in speed per 1 C rise in temperature.
Speed in km/h is the speed multiplied by 3.6. Time to travel 1 km is 1000 divided by the speed in m/s.
Mach 1 is defined as the speed of sound at the given temperature. The warmer the air, the faster sound travels.
Humidity and air pressure have only a small effect, so they are not included in this approximation. It is accurate enough for normal temperatures near the ground.

Tell us what you think of this calculator.