How is terminal velocity calculated?

√((2 × mass × gravity) ÷ (air density × drag coefficient × cross-sectional area)).

Why do a skydiver and feather have very different terminal velocities?

It depends heavily on mass, shape, and surface area relative to air resistance.

Terminal Velocity Calculator - CalculatorLabs.net

Q: What is terminal velocity?

The maximum constant speed a falling object reaches when air resistance equals gravity.

Terminal Velocity Calculator

Terminal velocity is the fastest speed a falling object reaches when air resistance grows strong enough to balance gravity, so it stops accelerating.

Mass (kg)

Drag Coefficient

Air Density (kg/m³)

Cross-Sectional Area (m²)

Gravity (m/s²)

Instant Result

Terminal Velocity -

What Is a Terminal Velocity Calculator?

Terminal velocity is the fastest speed a falling object reaches when air resistance grows strong enough to balance gravity, so it stops accelerating. It depends on the object's mass, shape (drag coefficient), cross-sectional area, and the density of the air.

How to Use This Terminal Velocity Calculator

Enter the object's mass in kilograms.
Enter its drag coefficient (a shape factor — around 1.0 for a person in free fall, lower for streamlined shapes).
Enter the air density (1.225 kg/m³ at sea level is typical) and the cross-sectional area facing the airflow.
Click Calculate to get the terminal velocity.

Formula

Terminal Velocity = √((2 × m × g) / (ρ × A × Cd))

Worked Example

A skydiver with a mass of 75 kg, drag coefficient 1.0, area 0.7 m², falling through air of density 1.225 kg/m³. Terminal Velocity = √((2×75×9.81)/(1.225×0.7×1.0)) ≈ 43.0 m/s (about 155 km/h).