Acceleration Calculator

Calculate acceleration using a = (v - u) / t. Enter initial velocity, final velocity, and time to find acceleration.

Enter all three values to calculate acceleration.

Acceleration Formula

a = (v − u) / t

Where:

  • a = acceleration (m/s²)
  • v = final velocity (m/s)
  • u = initial velocity (m/s)
  • t = time (s)

Example

Problem: A car accelerates from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 4 seconds. What is its acceleration?
Solution: a = (30 − 10) / 4 = 20 / 4 = 5 m/s²

Understanding Acceleration

Acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity over time. A positive value means speeding up, while a negative value (deceleration) means slowing down.

FAQ

What does negative acceleration mean?

Negative acceleration (deceleration) means the object is slowing down. For example, when you apply brakes, the final velocity is less than the initial velocity, giving a negative acceleration.

What is the acceleration due to gravity?

On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s² (often rounded to 10 m/s² for simpler calculations).

Can initial velocity be greater than final velocity?

Yes. When an object is decelerating, its initial velocity is greater than its final velocity, resulting in a negative acceleration value.

Last updated: 2026-08-08