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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Method | Choose one: Constant velocity, Initial velocity and acceleration, Initial and final velocities, Several velocities and times |
| Velocity v | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Initial velocity u | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Acceleration a | Units: m/s², ft/s², g, cm/s² |
| Final velocity v | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time t | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Number of segments | Choose one: 2, 3, 4, 5 … |
| Velocity 1 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 1 | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Velocity 2 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 2 | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Velocity 3 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 3 | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Velocity 4 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 4 | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Velocity 5 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 5 | Units: s, ms, min, h, days |
| Velocity 6 | Units: m/s, km/h, mph, ft/s, knots, km/s |
| Time 6 | Units: 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) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 | 25 |
| 3.75 | 37.5 |
| 5 | 50 |
| 6.25 | 62.5 |
| 7.5 | 75 |
| 10 | 100 |
Formula
d = v·t · d = u·t + ½·a·t² · d = (u + v)/2 · t · d = Σ vᵢ·tᵢ
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.