# Displacement Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/physics/displacement/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The displacement calculator finds how far an object ends up from its starting point: at constant velocity, with constant acceleration from initial velocity and acceleration or from initial and final velocities, or from a series of velocities and times.

## Inputs

- Method
- Velocity v (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Initial velocity u (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Acceleration a (m/s², ft/s², g, cm/s²)
- Final velocity v (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time t (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Number of segments
- Velocity 1 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 1 (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Velocity 2 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 2 (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Velocity 3 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 3 (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Velocity 4 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 4 (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Velocity 5 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 5 (s, ms, min, h, days)
- Velocity 6 (m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s)
- Time 6 (s, ms, min, h, days)

## Results

- Displacement
- Total time
- Average velocity

## Formula

```
d = v·t · d = u·t + ½·a·t² · d = (u + v)/2 · t · d = Σ vᵢ·tᵢ
```

## Explanation

Displacement is the straight-line change in position, with a direction. Unlike distance it can be negative or zero – a runner who completes a lap has run 400 m but has zero displacement.

### How to use the Displacement Calculator

- **Method**
- **Velocity v**
- **Initial velocity u**
- **Acceleration a**
- **Final velocity v**
- **Time t**
- **Number of segments**
- **Velocity 1**
- **Time 1**
- **Velocity 2**
- **Time 2**
- **Velocity 3**
- **Time 3**
- **Velocity 4**
- **Time 4**
- **Velocity 5**
- **Time 5**
- **Velocity 6**
- **Time 6**

Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.

### How it works

Pick the method that matches your data. With several segments, the displacement of each (velocity × time) is added; negative velocities represent motion backwards.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMethodChoose one: Constant velocity, Initial velocity and acceleration, Initial and final velocities, Several velocities and timesVelocity vUnits: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sInitial velocity uUnits: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sAcceleration aUnits: m/s², ft/s², g, cm/s²Final velocity vUnits: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime tUnits: s, ms, min, h, daysNumber of segmentsChoose one: 2, 3, 4, 5 …Velocity 1Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 1Units: s, ms, min, h, daysVelocity 2Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 2Units: s, ms, min, h, daysVelocity 3Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 3Units: s, ms, min, h, daysVelocity 4Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 4Units: s, ms, min, h, daysVelocity 5Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 5Units: s, ms, min, h, daysVelocity 6Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/sTime 6Units: s, ms, min, h, days

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Velocity v** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Velocity v (m/s)Displacement (m)2.5253.7537.55506.2562.57.57510100

## Worked example

Inputs — Method: Constant velocity; Velocity v: 5 m/s; Time t: 10 s.

Results — **Displacement = 50 m**; Total time = 10 s; Average velocity = 5 m/s.

## Key terms

- **Displacement**: Change in position, a vector quantity.

## FAQ

**What is the difference between distance and displacement?**
Distance is the total path length; displacement is the change in position with direction.

**Can displacement be negative?**
Yes – it means the object ended up behind its starting point.

**What is the area under a velocity–time graph?**
The displacement.

**Does average velocity equal average speed?**
Only if the object never reverses direction.


## Sources

- [OpenStax – University Physics Volume 1](https://openstax.org/details/books/university-physics-volume-1)
- [HyperPhysics (Georgia State University)](http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html)