Acceleration Conversion Calculator

Convert between meters per second squared, feet per second squared, g-force, and more

Safety Note: High acceleration values can be dangerous to humans. Consult safety guidelines before subjecting yourself or others to high acceleration environments.

Tip: 1 standard gravity (g) = 9.80665 m/s² = 32.1740 ft/s²

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Understanding Acceleration Units

Common Units

m/s²: Meters per second squared (SI unit)
ft/s²: Feet per second squared (US customary)
g: Standard gravity (9.80665 m/s²)
Gal: Centimeter per second squared (used in geodesy)

Real-World Examples

Free fall on Earth: ~1 g (9.8 m/s²)
Formula 1 braking: ~5 g
Space shuttle launch: ~3 g
Roller coaster: 3-6 g

Acceleration Conversion Table

Unit	m/s²	ft/s²	g	Gal
1 m/s²	1	3.28084	0.101972	100
1 ft/s²	0.3048	1	0.031081	30.48
1 g	9.80665	32.1740	1	980.665
1 Gal	0.01	0.032808	0.00101972	1

Note: Standard gravity (g) varies slightly by location on Earth. The standard value of 9.80665 m/s² is an average for sea level at 45° latitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between acceleration and g-force?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity (measured in units like m/s²), while g-force is a measurement of acceleration relative to Earth's gravity. 1 g equals the acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface (9.80665 m/s²).

How do you convert g-force to m/s²?

Multiply the g-force value by 9.80665. For example, 2 g = 2 × 9.80665 = 19.6133 m/s².

What is a Gal unit used for?

The Gal (Galileo) is used in geophysics and seismology to measure small accelerations, especially Earth's gravitational variations (1 Gal = 1 cm/s²). Gravity on Earth varies about 0.5% (from 979 to 983 Gal).

How much g-force can humans tolerate?

Untrained humans can tolerate about 5 g briefly. Fighter pilots with special suits can handle 9 g for short periods. The record is 46.2 g for 1 second. Sustained g-forces above 10 g can be fatal.

Why are there different acceleration units?

Different fields use different units: scientists prefer m/s² (SI), engineers often use g-force, US aviation uses ft/s², and geophysicists use Gal. Each unit is convenient for specific applications.

Practical Applications of Acceleration Conversion

Aerospace Engineering

Converting between g-forces and m/s² is essential for spacecraft design, calculating launch forces, and determining astronaut safety limits during acceleration phases.

Automotive Testing

Vehicle acceleration performance is often measured in both m/s² (for international standards) and g-force (for consumer understanding).

Earthquake Measurement

Seismologists use Gal units to measure ground acceleration during earthquakes, which is then converted to g-force for structural engineering analysis.

Amusement Park Safety

Roller coaster g-forces are monitored in both SI and US customary units to ensure they stay within safe limits (typically under 6 g).