Acceleration Calculator
Find the average acceleration of an object from its initial and final velocity over a time interval.
m/s
m/s
s
- 1
Change in velocity
27 − 0 = 27 m/s - 2
Acceleration
27 ÷ 10 = 2.700
Formula
How this is calculated
The calculator takes three inputs: the initial velocity (vi) at the start of the interval, the final velocity (vf) at the end, and the elapsed time (t). It first computes the change in velocity, Δv = vf − vi, then divides that by the time to get the average acceleration: a = (vf − vi) / t. With velocities in metres per second (m/s) and time in seconds (s), the result is in metres per second squared (m/s²).
The sign of the answer carries meaning. A positive value means the object gained speed in its direction of motion; a negative value (when vf is smaller than vi) means it slowed down. For convenience the tool also divides the result by standard gravity, g = 9.80665 m/s², so you can read the acceleration in g-forces.
This gives the average acceleration over the whole interval — it assumes a constant straight-line change and does not capture moment-to-moment variations, curved paths, or the effects of forces such as air resistance or friction. Time must be greater than zero, since dividing by zero is undefined.
Examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| vi = 0, vf = 27 m/s, t = 10 s | a = 2.7 m/s² |
About this calculator
Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes. The average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time over which it occurs: a = (vf − vi) / t. With velocities in metres per second and time in seconds, acceleration is in metres per second squared (m/s²).
A positive result means the object is speeding up in the direction of motion, while a negative result indicates deceleration. Expressing acceleration as a multiple of g (9.80665 m/s²) is a handy way to compare it with the pull of gravity — useful in vehicle performance, aviation and amusement-ride design.
Frequently asked questions
Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by time: a = (vf − vi) / t, giving m/s² when velocity is in m/s and time in seconds.
A negative value means the object is slowing down (decelerating) relative to its direction of motion, because the final velocity is less than the initial velocity.
Earth’s gravitational acceleration is about 9.80665 m/s². Dividing your acceleration by this value tells you how many g-forces are involved.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Acceleration Calculator [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/acceleration-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Acceleration Calculator." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/acceleration-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Acceleration Calculator," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/acceleration-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_acceleration_calculator, title = {Acceleration Calculator}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/acceleration-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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