The 0–60 mph sprint is the classic measure of a car’s acceleration. Two things limit it: the engine’s power (how fast kinetic energy can be added) and the tyres’ grip (how much force they can put down before spinning). Electric cars deliver full torque from standstill and need no gear changes, which is why heavy EVs can beat light sports cars off the line.
How to use the 0-60 Calculator
- Engine power
- Empty (curb) weight
- Payload (driver, passengers, cargo)
- Motor
- Driven wheels
- Gearbox
- Tyres
- Road surface
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the engine power and the weight of the car plus passengers, then pick the drivetrain, gearbox, tyres and road. The calculator works out the time limited by power and the time limited by traction, takes the longer of the two and adds a little for gear changes. Real times also depend on launch technique, gearing and temperature, so treat the result as an estimate.
Tips
- Use your own measured figures – fuel economy, speed and prices vary a lot with driving style, traffic, load and season.
- Pick the unit in each field’s menu (miles or kilometres, mpg or L/100 km); the calculator converts everything for you.
- Fill up to the brim twice and divide the distance by the fuel added to measure real fuel economy.
- For vehicle modifications, treat results as a starting point and confirm with the parts maker or a professional mechanic.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing US and imperial (UK) gallons – a UK gallon is about 20% bigger.
- Using the advertised fuel economy instead of real-world figures.
- Forgetting tolls, parking and wear and tear when comparing driving with public transport.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Engine power | Units: hp, kW, PS (metric hp), W |
| Empty (curb) weight | Units: kg, lb, g |
| Payload (driver, passengers, cargo) | Units: kg, lb, g |
| Motor | Choose one: Petrol / diesel engine, Electric motor |
| Driven wheels | Choose one: Front-wheel drive, Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | Choose one: Manual, Automatic, Dual-clutch, Direct drive (electric) |
| Tyres | Choose one: Normal road tyres, Performance tyres |
| Road surface | Choose one: Dry, Damp, Wet |
What each result means
- Total mass = [Empty (curb) weight] + [Payload (driver, passengers, cargo)]
- Power-to-weight = [Engine power]÷[Total mass]
Example values
How the main result changes when Engine power changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Engine power (hp) | Estimated 0-60 mph time (s) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 15.5 |
| 150 | 10.5 |
| 200 | 7.9 |
| 250 | 6.4 |
| 300 | 5.4 |
| 400 | 4.1 |
Formula
Power-limited time = ½ m v² ÷ (f × P)Traction-limited time = v ÷ (μ × g × k)0-60 time ≈ max(power, traction) + shift timef = usable share of peak power (≈ 0.5 petrol, 0.55 electric), k = share of weight on driven wheelsWorked example
Inputs — Engine power: 200 hp; Empty (curb) weight: 1,500 kg; Payload (driver, passengers, cargo): 80 kg; Motor: Petrol / diesel engine; Driven wheels: Rear-wheel drive; Gearbox: Automatic; Tyres: Normal road tyres; Road surface: Dry.
Results — Total mass = 1,580 kg; Power-limited time = 7.62 s; Traction-limited time = 3.65 s; Estimated 0-60 mph time = 7.9 s; Power-to-weight = 126.6 hp per tonne.
Key terms
- Traction limit
- The maximum acceleration the tyres can provide before wheelspin: about μ·g times the share of weight on the driven wheels.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good 0-60 time?
Under 8 s feels brisk for a family car, under 5 s is fast and under 3 s is supercar or high-performance EV territory.
Why are electric cars so quick from 0-60?
Electric motors make full torque from zero rpm and need no gear changes, so the car is power- or traction-limited from the first instant.
Does weight matter as much as power?
Yes – the time scales with mass ÷ power, so cutting 10% of the weight helps about as much as adding 10% power.
What is 0-100 km/h compared with 0-60 mph?
100 km/h is 62.1 mph, so 0–100 km/h times are about 0.1–0.2 s longer.
What formula does the 0-60 Calculator use?
Power-limited time = ½ m v² ÷ (f × P).