Free Terminal Velocity Calculator
Calculate the terminal velocity of a falling object: v_t = sqrt(2 m g / (rho Cd A)), where drag equals weight.
kg
kg/m3
m2
Terminal Velocity
42.7763 m/s
Terminal Velocity (km/h)153.99 km/h
Terminal Velocity vs Object Mass
Terminal Velocity
When a falling object's drag force equals its weight, it stops accelerating and falls at a constant speed.
Formula
v_t = sqrt(2mg / (rho Cd A))
Derived from setting drag equal to weight: 0.5 Cd rho A v^2 = mg.
A skydiver in belly-down position has about 55 m/s (200 km/h); head-down is about 90 m/s (320 km/h).
Example Calculation
80 kg skydiver, belly-down (Cd = 1.0, A = 0.7 m2), sea level.
- 01v_t = sqrt(2 * 80 * 9.807 / (1.225 * 1.0 * 0.7))
- 02v_t = sqrt(1569 / 0.8575)
- 03v_t = sqrt(1830)
- 04v_t = 42.8 m/s = 154 km/h
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