On this page
Speed of Sound in Air
Formula
The speed of sound in air depends on temperature. At 20°C it is about 343 m/s. The linear approximation v = 331.3 + 0.606T (in °C) is accurate for typical atmospheric conditions. Warmer air transmits sound faster because molecules move more quickly.
Common use cases:
- Acoustic engineering
- Distance estimation via echo timing
- Aviation Mach number calculations
Frequently Asked Questions
James Wilson
Licensed Professional Engineer, PE, MS Civil Engineering
James is a Licensed Professional Engineer with a Master's in Civil Engineering and over 12 years of experience in structural design and construction project management. He specializes in building calculations, material estimation, and physics-based engineering tools.
Was this calculator helpful?
People Also Use
Velocity Calculator
Calculate velocity from distance and time or initial velocity plus acceleration instantly.
Acceleration Calculator
Calculate acceleration from initial velocity, final velocity, and time instantly.
Force Calculator
Calculate force using Newton's second law F = ma from mass and acceleration.
Kinetic Energy
Calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object from its mass and velocity.
Potential Energy
Calculate gravitational potential energy from mass, height, and gravity.
Power Calculator
Calculate mechanical power from work done and time using P = W/t.
Momentum Calculator
Calculate linear momentum from mass and velocity using p = mv.
Free Fall
Calculate free fall distance, time, and impact velocity under gravity.