0-60 Calculator
Calculate 0-60 acceleration time. Enter vehicle power, weight, and other factors. Get estimated 0-60 time and distance. Based on physics formulas. Informational only—consult manufacturer specs.
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By Motorsport/Automotive Editor | Published: Oct 23, 2025 | Reviewed by: Motorsport/Automotive Editor
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Calculate 0-60 Time
Quick Preset Vehicles
How it works
Time = Target Speed / Acceleration. Acceleration = Net Force / Mass. We estimate the average force at the wheels, subtract aerodynamic drag, and then calculate the time to reach the target speed.
Physics formulas used:
- Average Force at Wheels = (Power × (1 - Drivetrain Loss)) / Average Velocity
- Resistive Force = 0.5 × Air Density × Cd × Frontal Area × Velocity²
- Net Force = Average Force - Resistive Force
- Acceleration = Net Force / Mass
- Time = Target Speed / Acceleration
- Distance = 0.5 × Acceleration × Time²
Inputs explained
- Target Speed
- Choose between 0-60 mph (US standard) or 0-100 km/h (international standard).
- Engine Power
- The engine's power output in horsepower (hp) or kilowatts (kW).
- Vehicle Weight
- Total weight of the vehicle in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs).
- Drivetrain Loss
- Percentage of power lost in the drivetrain. Typically 10-15% for RWD, 15-20% for AWD.
- Drag Coefficient (Cd)
- Aerodynamic drag coefficient. Lower is better (0.25-0.35 for modern cars).
- Frontal Area
- The vehicle's frontal cross-sectional area in square meters (typical: 2.0-2.5 m²).
Example
Supercar: Power=700 hp (~522 kW), Weight=1500 kg, Cd=0.30
- 0-60 mph time: ≈3.5 seconds
- Distance covered: ≈47 meters (≈154 feet)
- Performance classification: Very Fast
This represents exceptional performance for a high-performance supercar.
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Tips & notes
- Power-to-weight ratio: A high power-to-weight ratio is crucial for fast 0-60 times.
- Aerodynamics: Low drag coefficient (Cd) and smaller frontal area reduce air resistance.
- Drivetrain loss: AWD systems typically have higher drivetrain loss than RWD/FWD.
- Traction: Real-world 0-60 times depend heavily on tire grip and launch control systems.
- Weight distribution: Better weight distribution improves traction and acceleration.
- Electric vehicles: EVs often have faster 0-60 times due to instant torque delivery.
FAQs
For a production car, under 5 seconds is very fast. Performance cars achieve 3-4 seconds, while supercars can be under 3 seconds. Family cars typically range from 7-10 seconds.
Using physics formulas that account for power, weight, aerodynamic drag, and drivetrain efficiency. The calculator estimates average acceleration based on these factors.
It's a common benchmark in the US for comparing vehicle acceleration. International markets often use 0-100 km/h (which is slightly faster at 62.1 mph).
No. Everything runs in your browser. Use Export/Share Link to save your configuration.
Real-world tests depend on tire grip, launch control, driver skill, weather conditions, and surface quality. This calculator provides a physics-based estimate.
0-100 km/h is approximately 0-62 mph, so it's slightly faster than 0-60 mph. The time difference is usually 0.1-0.3 seconds.
Disclaimer
⚠️ Important: Informational tool based on simplified physics models. Real-world 0-60 times can vary significantly due to traction, launch control, driver skill, and environmental conditions. Consult manufacturer specs for official data.