Physics

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Terminal Velocity Calculator.

Calculate terminal speed for quadratic drag in a uniform fluid.

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Set your values

Results update as you type.

02 / ANSWER

Mass

Gravity

Fluid density

Drag coefficient

Frontal area

Terminal velocity

0.000000m/s

Results update automatically as you type.

Use Cases

Skydiving and Parachute Design

Estimate the terminal velocity of a skydiver or a parachute system to understand fall speeds and design for safe landing.

Example: A skydiver with mass 80 kg, frontal area 0.7 m², and drag coefficient 0.7 in air (density 1.225 kg/m³) has a terminal velocity of about 53 m/s.

Engineering and Aerodynamics

Calculate terminal velocity for objects like drones, projectiles, or vehicles to predict their behavior in fluid environments.

Example: A car with mass 1500 kg, frontal area 2.2 m², and drag coefficient 0.3 has a terminal velocity of about 190 m/s (if falling vertically).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is terminal velocity?: Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the drag force from the fluid equals the gravitational force pulling it down. At this point, the net force is zero, so the object stops accelerating and falls at a steady speed.
How is terminal velocity calculated in this calculator?: This calculator uses the formula for quadratic drag: v_t = sqrt((2 * mass * gravity) / (fluid density * drag coefficient * frontal area)). It assumes the drag force is proportional to the square of the velocity, which is typical for most objects moving through air or water at moderate to high speeds.
What units should I use for the inputs?: Use kilograms for mass, meters per second squared for gravity, kilograms per cubic meter for fluid density, and square meters for frontal area. The drag coefficient is dimensionless. The result will be in meters per second.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the drag coefficient matches the object's shape and orientation. For a sphere, it's about 0.47; for a flat plate, it's about 1.28.
Use consistent units. If you input mass in grams, convert to kilograms first to get the correct result in m/s.
For high altitudes, fluid density decreases, which increases terminal velocity. Adjust the fluid density accordingly.
This calculator assumes quadratic drag, which is valid for most practical scenarios. For very small or slow objects, linear drag may be more appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong drag coefficient: Forgetting to adjust for the object's shape can lead to large errors. Always verify the coefficient for your specific object.
Mixing units: Entering mass in grams or area in cm² without converting to SI units will produce incorrect results.
Assuming terminal velocity is reached instantly: In reality, it takes time to approach terminal velocity. This calculator gives the steady-state speed, not the speed at a given time.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Use Cases

Skydiving and Parachute Design

Estimate the terminal velocity of a skydiver or a parachute system to understand fall speeds and design for safe landing.

Example: A skydiver with mass 80 kg, frontal area 0.7 m², and drag coefficient 0.7 in air (density 1.225 kg/m³) has a terminal velocity of about 53 m/s.

Engineering and Aerodynamics

Calculate terminal velocity for objects like drones, projectiles, or vehicles to predict their behavior in fluid environments.

Example: A car with mass 1500 kg, frontal area 2.2 m², and drag coefficient 0.3 has a terminal velocity of about 190 m/s (if falling vertically).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the drag force from the fluid equals the gravitational force pulling it down. At this point, the net force is zero, so the object stops accelerating and falls at a steady speed.

How is terminal velocity calculated in this calculator?

This calculator uses the formula for quadratic drag: v_t = sqrt((2 * mass * gravity) / (fluid density * drag coefficient * frontal area)). It assumes the drag force is proportional to the square of the velocity, which is typical for most objects moving through air or water at moderate to high speeds.

What units should I use for the inputs?

Use kilograms for mass, meters per second squared for gravity, kilograms per cubic meter for fluid density, and square meters for frontal area. The drag coefficient is dimensionless. The result will be in meters per second.

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the drag coefficient matches the object's shape and orientation. For a sphere, it's about 0.47; for a flat plate, it's about 1.28.
Use consistent units. If you input mass in grams, convert to kilograms first to get the correct result in m/s.
For high altitudes, fluid density decreases, which increases terminal velocity. Adjust the fluid density accordingly.
This calculator assumes quadratic drag, which is valid for most practical scenarios. For very small or slow objects, linear drag may be more appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong drag coefficient: Forgetting to adjust for the object's shape can lead to large errors. Always verify the coefficient for your specific object.
Mixing units: Entering mass in grams or area in cm² without converting to SI units will produce incorrect results.
Assuming terminal velocity is reached instantly: In reality, it takes time to approach terminal velocity. This calculator gives the steady-state speed, not the speed at a given time.

Use Cases

Skydiving and Parachute Design

Estimate the terminal velocity of a skydiver or a parachute system to understand fall speeds and design for safe landing.

Example: A skydiver with mass 80 kg, frontal area 0.7 m², and drag coefficient 0.7 in air (density 1.225 kg/m³) has a terminal velocity of about 53 m/s.

Engineering and Aerodynamics

Calculate terminal velocity for objects like drones, projectiles, or vehicles to predict their behavior in fluid environments.

Example: A car with mass 1500 kg, frontal area 2.2 m², and drag coefficient 0.3 has a terminal velocity of about 190 m/s (if falling vertically).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is terminal velocity?

How is terminal velocity calculated in this calculator?

What units should I use for the inputs?

Tips & Common Mistakes

Tips

Ensure the drag coefficient matches the object's shape and orientation. For a sphere, it's about 0.47; for a flat plate, it's about 1.28.
Use consistent units. If you input mass in grams, convert to kilograms first to get the correct result in m/s.
For high altitudes, fluid density decreases, which increases terminal velocity. Adjust the fluid density accordingly.
This calculator assumes quadratic drag, which is valid for most practical scenarios. For very small or slow objects, linear drag may be more appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong drag coefficient: Forgetting to adjust for the object's shape can lead to large errors. Always verify the coefficient for your specific object.
Mixing units: Entering mass in grams or area in cm² without converting to SI units will produce incorrect results.
Assuming terminal velocity is reached instantly: In reality, it takes time to approach terminal velocity. This calculator gives the steady-state speed, not the speed at a given time.