# Muzzle Velocity Calculator

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

> The muzzle velocity calculator finds a bullet's speed from its kinetic energy and mass, or its energy from mass and speed, as published in ammunition tables.

## Inputs

- What do you know?
- Bullet mass (gr, g, kg, oz)
- Muzzle energy (ft·lbf, J, kJ)
- Muzzle velocity (ft/s, m/s, mph, km/h)

## Results

- Muzzle velocity
- Muzzle energy
- Momentum

## Formula

```
v = √(2E/m),  E = ½mv²
```

## Explanation

Ammunition makers usually publish a bullet's weight in grains and either its muzzle velocity or muzzle energy. Converting between them lets hunters and sport shooters compare loads and check that a round meets the minimum energy required for game.

### How to use the Muzzle Velocity Calculator

- **What do you know?**
- **Bullet mass**
- **Muzzle energy**
- **Muzzle velocity**

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

### How it works

Choose whether you know the energy or the velocity. Mass can be entered in grains or grams and energy in joules or foot-pounds.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterWhat do you know?Choose one: Kinetic energy and mass, Velocity and massBullet massUnits: gr, g, kg, ozMuzzle energyUnits: ft·lbf, J, kJMuzzle velocityUnits: ft/s, m/s, mph, km/h

### What each result means

- **Muzzle energy** = [Bullet mass]×[Muzzle velocity]^2÷2
- **Momentum** = [Bullet mass]×[Muzzle velocity]

### Example values

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

Bullet mass (gr)Muzzle velocity (ft/s)754,115.39112.53,360.21502,910.02187.52,602.82252,376.023002,057.69

## Worked example

Inputs — What do you know?: Kinetic energy and mass; Bullet mass: 150 gr; Muzzle energy: 2,820 ft·lbf.

Results — **Muzzle velocity = 2,910.02 ft/s**; Muzzle energy = 2,820 ft·lbf; Momentum = 8.6212 kg·m/s.

## Key terms

- **Muzzle velocity**: The speed of the projectile as it leaves the barrel.

## FAQ

**What is a grain?**
A unit of mass: 7,000 grains = 1 lb; 1 grain = 64.8 mg.

**How fast is a typical rifle bullet?**
Roughly 750–1,000 m/s (2,500–3,300 ft/s).

**Does barrel length change muzzle velocity?**
Yes – longer barrels usually give more speed, up to a point.

**Why does energy grow faster than velocity?**
Energy is proportional to the square of velocity.


## 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)