Sound Distance Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the sound distance calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Sound Distance Calculator

Formulas Used

Speed of Sound

sound_speed = 331.3 + 0.606 * temperature

Distance

distance = (331.3 + 0.606 * temperature) * time_delay

Distance (km)

distance_km = (331.3 + 0.606 * temperature) * time_delay / 1000

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
time_delayTime Delay(s)3
temperatureAir Temperature(°C)20

How It Works

Sound Distance

By measuring the time between seeing an event and hearing it, you can estimate the distance.

Formula

d = v_sound * t

where v_sound = 331.3 + 0.606 * T (m/s). A classic application: counting seconds between a lightning flash and thunder to estimate storm distance.

Worked Example

Thunder arrives 3 seconds after lightning at 20 degrees C.

time_delay = 3temperature = 20
  1. 01v = 331.3 + 0.606 * 20 = 343.4 m/s
  2. 02d = 343.4 * 3
  3. 03d = 1030.3 m
  4. 04d = 1.030 km (about 1 km)

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Sound Distance Calculator