Acceleration calculator (velocity and time)
Calculate acceleration from the initial and final velocity and the time — plus the distance traveled.
Constant-acceleration model. A negative acceleration means the body is slowing down.
How the calculation works
Acceleration is the change in velocity over time: a = (v_final − v_initial) ÷ time, in m/s². With constant acceleration, distance is the average velocity × time: d = (v_i + v_f)/2 · t.
Examples
- From 0 to 20 m/s in 5 s: a = 20 ÷ 5 = 4 m/s².
- Braking from 30 m/s to 0 in 6 s: a = −5 m/s² (negative).
Frequently asked questions
What is 1 m/s²?
It means gaining 1 m/s of speed every second. A car going 0 to 100 km/h (~27.8 m/s) in 10 s has ~2.8 m/s².
Are acceleration and velocity the same?
No. Velocity is distance per second; acceleration is the change in velocity per second.
What is negative acceleration?
It is deceleration — when speed drops, as when braking. The minus sign means opposite to the motion.
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Updated on June 30, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources