Average Velocity Calculator
Calculate average velocity from displacement over time — enter the initial and final position and the time elapsed to get v = Δx ÷ Δt.
How to calculate average velocity
Average velocity is the displacement divided by the time it took. Subtract the initial position from the final position to get the displacement, then divide by the time elapsed. With position in metres and time in seconds, the result is in metres per second (m/s).
v = Δx ÷ Δt = (final position − initial position) ÷ time
For example, moving from 0 to 100 m in 10 seconds gives (100 − 0) ÷ 10 = 10 m/s. A negative result means net movement in the opposite direction. Velocity differs from speed: speed uses total distance travelled (always positive), while velocity uses displacement and has a direction.
It’s the same structure as an average rate of change applied to position over time — and pairs with the average acceleration calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate average velocity?
Average velocity is the displacement divided by the time taken: v = (final position − initial position) ÷ Δt. For example, moving from 0 to 100 m in 10 seconds is (100 − 0) ÷ 10 = 10 m/s.
What is average velocity?
It is the overall change in position per unit of time over an interval, measured in metres per second (m/s). Unlike speed it has a direction — a negative value means net movement in the opposite direction.
What is the difference between average velocity and average speed?
Average velocity uses displacement (straight-line change in position, with direction); average speed uses the total distance travelled (always positive). Walk 5 m east then 5 m back and your average speed is positive but your average velocity is zero.