Speed of Sound Calculator
Speed of sound at any temperature, in water and solids, with wavelength.
About this tool
Pick a medium, then set the air temperature and humidity if it's air. The tool shows the speed in m/s, km/h, mph and ft/s, how long sound takes to travel a distance, and the wavelength at a frequency.
What sets the speed of sound
In air the speed of sound depends mainly on temperature: c โ 331.3 ร โ(1 + T รท 273.15) m/s, giving about 331 m/s at 0ยฐC, 343 m/s at 20ยฐC and 355 m/s at 40ยฐC. Humidity raises it slightly, and pressure alone has almost no effect, which is why sound is slower high in the cold atmosphere. Liquids and solids are much stiffer, so sound moves far faster: about 1,480 m/s in fresh water, 1,520 m/s in seawater and nearly 6,000 m/s in steel. The tool also gives travel time (1 km in air takes about 2.9 seconds) and wavelength, which is speed รท frequency: concert A at 440 Hz is about 78 cm long in air, useful for acoustics, speaker placement and room modes. Honest limits: material values are typical figures, and real alloys, wood and temperatures vary; the humidity correction is approximate. The lightning distance calculator and the BPM delay calculator are related.
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed of sound?
About 343 m/s (1,235 km/h or 767 mph) in dry air at 20ยฐC.
Does temperature affect the speed of sound?
Yes. It rises by roughly 0.6 m/s for every 1ยฐC increase in air temperature.
Is sound faster in water or air?
Water, by more than four times: about 1,480 m/s compared with 343 m/s.
How do I find the wavelength of a sound?
Divide the speed of sound by the frequency. At 343 m/s, a 1,000 Hz tone is 34.3 cm long.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser, and nothing is stored or sent.