72 KPH to MPS – Easy Conversion Explained

72 kph is equal to 20 mps.

To convert kilometers per hour (kph) into meters per second (mps), you divide the speed value by 3.6 because there are 1000 meters in a kilometer and 3600 seconds in an hour, so the conversion factor is 1/3.6. Hence, 72 kph / 3.6 = 20 mps.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

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

mps = kph ÷ 3.6

This works because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters, and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. So dividing 1000 meters by 3600 seconds gives approximately 0.27778 meters per second for each kilometer per hour.

Step-by-step example for 72 kph:

• Start with 72 kilometers per hour.
• Divide 72 by 3.6 (since 3600 seconds / 1000 meters = 3.6).
• 72 ÷ 3.6 = 20.
• Therefore, 72 kph equals 20 meters per second.

Conversion Example

• Convert 54 kph to mps:
  • Take 54 kph.
  • Divide 54 by 3.6.
  • 54 ÷ 3.6 = 15.
  • Result: 15 mps.
• Convert 90 kph to mps:
  • Start with 90 kph.
  • Divide 90 by 3.6.
  • 90 ÷ 3.6 = 25.
  • Answer: 25 mps.
• Convert 36 kph to mps:
  • Use 36 kph.
  • Divide 36 by 3.6.
  • 36 ÷ 3.6 = 10.
  • Therefore, 10 mps.
• Convert 100 kph to mps:
  • 100 kph is given.
  • Divide 100 by 3.6.
  • 100 ÷ 3.6 ≈ 27.78.
  • Result: approximately 27.78 mps.

Conversion Chart

The chart below shows speed values in kilometers per hour and their equivalent meters per second. To use the chart, find the kph value in the left column, then read across to see the corresponding mps value. This helps quickly reference conversions without calculations.

Related Conversion Questions

• How fast is 72 kilometers per hour in meters per second?
• What is the meters per second equivalent of 72 kph speed?
• Convert 72 kph to mps for vehicle speed measurement.
• How do you convert 72 kilometers per hour into meters per second manually?
• Is 72 kph equal to 20 meters per second?
• What formula should I use to change 72 kph to mps?
• How many meters per second does 72 kph represent on a speedometer?

Conversion Definitions

kph: Kilometers per hour is a unit of speed expressing how many kilometers are traveled in one hour. It is widely used in many countries to measure speed for vehicles, bicycles, and running speeds. One kilometer per hour equals 1000 meters covered in 3600 seconds.

mps: Meters per second is a unit of speed that shows how many meters an object moves in one second. It is common in physics and engineering for precise speed measurement. One meter per second equals 3.6 kilometers per hour when converted between units.

Conversion FAQs

Why divide by 3.6 to convert kph to mps?

Because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds, dividing by 3.6 converts kilometers per hour into meters per second accurately. The division accounts for the difference in units of distance and time between these two speed measures.

Can this conversion be reversed to get kph from mps?

Yes, to convert meters per second back to kilometers per hour, you multiply the value by 3.6. This reverses the division step, making it simple to go back and forth between these two units.

Is 72 kph a common speed for vehicles?

72 kph (20 mps) is near common urban or suburban driving speeds in many countries. It is neither very slow nor very fast, making it a practical example for conversion between speed units.

Does rounding affect accuracy in these conversions?

Rounding to a few decimal places usually does not cause meaningful errors in everyday use. For high precision needs, use exact decimal values or more digits, but for normal measurements, rounding is acceptable.

Are kph and mps used globally?

Kph is common in most countries except the US and a few others where miles per hour is preferred. Mps is more universal in scientific contexts worldwide, because the metric system is standard for physics and engineering.

Last Updated : 22 June, 2025

Sandeep Bhandari

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.