Speed vs. Velocity: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on November 15, 2023
Speed is the rate of motion without direction, while velocity is speed with a specific direction.
Key Differences
Speed is used in everyday contexts to indicate how quickly something moves. Velocity is more commonly used in physics and engineering to describe motion in terms of both speed and direction.
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Speed measures the distance traveled over time, such as miles per hour or meters per second. Velocity, however, measures displacement (the shortest distance from the start to end point) over time and includes directional information.
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When calculating speed, only the magnitude of the movement is considered, ignoring the direction of travel. In contrast, calculating velocity requires both the speed and the direction of the object’s movement.
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Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving, irrespective of its direction. Velocity, in contrast, is a vector quantity that describes an object's speed and the direction of its movement.
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Speed can never be negative as it only quantifies how fast something is moving. Velocity, on the other hand, can be negative, indicating a change in direction.
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Comparison Chart
Speed and Velocity Definitions
Speed
Rate at which an object covers distance.
The car reached a speed of 100 km/h.
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Velocity
The speed of something in a given direction.
The ball’s velocity changed as it was hit.
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Speed
Scalar measure of how fast something is moving.
The runner increased her speed during the race.
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Velocity
Rate of change of an object’s position.
The car's velocity was constant at 60 km/h north.
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Speed
A measure of rapidity of movement.
He admired the speed of the cheetah in the documentary.
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Velocity
A vector quantity describing both speed and direction.
The rocket's velocity increased as it ascended.
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Speed
Quickness of motion or action.
The internet speed at her home was remarkably fast.
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Velocity
Displacement per unit time.
The river's velocity varies along its course.
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Velocity
Speed with directional component.
The velocity of the wind was 10 m/s towards the east.
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Speed
The limit of this quotient as the time of travel becomes vanishingly small; the first derivative of distance with respect to time.
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Velocity
(Physics) A vector quantity whose magnitude is a body's speed and whose direction is the body's direction of motion.
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Velocity
The rate at which something acts or occurs
The velocity of metabolism of glucose in muscle cells.
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Speed
The state of being in rapid motion; rapidity
The river's speed made a rescue difficult.
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Velocity
(physics) A vector quantity that denotes the rate of change of position with respect to time, combining speed with a directional component.
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Speed
A transmission gear or set of gears in a motor vehicle
What speed is the car in now?.
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Velocity
Rapidity of motion.
The train was travelling at a slower velocity than usual.
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Speed
A numerical expression of the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper to light.
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Speed
The capacity of a lens to accumulate light at an appropriate aperture.
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Velocity
(economics) The number of times that an average unit of currency is spent during a specific period of time.
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Speed
The length of time required or permitted for a camera shutter to open and admit light.
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Velocity
Quickness of motion; swiftness; speed; celerity; rapidity; as, the velocity of wind; the velocity of a planet or comet in its orbit or course; the velocity of a cannon ball; the velocity of light.
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Velocity
Rate of motion; the relation of motion to time, measured by the number of units of space passed over by a moving body or point in a unit of time, usually the number of feet passed over in a second. See the Note under Speed.
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Speed
(Slang) One that suits or appeals to a person's inclinations, skills, or character
Living in a large city is not my speed.
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Speed
To drive at a speed exceeding a legal limit
Was speeding on the freeway.
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Speed
To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate
His pulse speeded up.
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Speed
To cause to move or proceed quickly; hasten
No wind to speed the boat.
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Speed
To increase the speed or rate of; accelerate. Often used with up
Speed up a car.
Sped up production.
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Speed
The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.
How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?
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Speed
The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.
Speed limits provide information to the drivers about the safe speed to travel in average conditions.
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Speed
(photography) The duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).
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Speed
(photography) The largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.
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Speed
(photography) The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.
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Speed
Amphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.
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Speed
(slang) Personal preference.
We could go to the shore next week, or somewhere else if that's not your speed.
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Speed
A third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.
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Speed
(film) Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.
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Speed
To help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.
God speed, until we meet again.
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Speed
(intransitive) To exceed the speed limit.
Why do you speed when the road is so icy?
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Speed
To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
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Speed
(archaic) To wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
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Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
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Speed
Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success.
O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day.
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Speed
The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel.
Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails.
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Speed
To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare.
Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed.
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Speed
To fare well; to have success; to prosper.
Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!For whoso wants money with them shall not speed!
I told ye then he should prevail, and speedOn his bad errand.
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Speed
To make haste; to move with celerity.
I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility.
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Speed
To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor.
With rising gales that speed their happy flight.
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Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
He sped him thence home to his habitation.
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Speed
To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.
Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.
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Speed
To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo.
A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped.If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead.
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Speed
To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
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Speed
A rate (usually rapid) at which something happens;
The project advanced with gratifying speed
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Speed
The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a (camera) lens system
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Speed
A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
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Speed
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
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Speed
Travel at an excessive or illegal velocity;
I got a ticket for speeding
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Speed
Distance traveled per unit of time.
The speed of sound is faster than the speed of light.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is speed?
Speed is how fast an object is moving, irrespective of direction.
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What is velocity?
Velocity is the speed of an object in a specific direction.
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Can two objects have the same speed but different velocities?
Yes, if they are moving in different directions.
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How is velocity calculated?
Velocity is calculated as displacement divided by time, with direction.
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What is the unit of velocity?
Velocity is measured in units like m/s or mph, with a directional component.
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Is velocity more informative than speed?
Yes, as it includes both magnitude and direction.
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What is the unit of speed?
Common units of speed include meters per second (m/s) and miles per hour (mph).
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Can velocity be negative?
Yes, velocity can be negative, indicating a change in direction.
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What is instantaneous speed?
Instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a particular moment.
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How does speed relate to acceleration?
Speed is the magnitude of velocity, which is the rate of change of acceleration.
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Do airplanes use speed or velocity?
Airplanes measure both, but velocity is crucial for navigation.
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Why is velocity important in motion analysis?
Because it provides a complete description of both speed and direction of movement.
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Is speed used in physics?
Yes, but often velocity is more useful for describing motion.
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What is average velocity?
Average velocity is the total displacement divided by the total time.
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Can speed and velocity have the same value?
Yes, when an object moves in a straight line without changing direction.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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