What this tool answers
This tool uses starting and ending positions and elapsed time. It finds an interval average, not the instantaneous velocity at the endpoint.
Formula
Average velocity = (end position − start position) / elapsed time.
Worked example: A ninety-metre position change
Starting at 12 m and ending at 102 m over 9 s gives an average velocity of (102 − 12) / 9 = 10 m/s. The path taken between those positions is not specified.
Load these worked-example inputs
Limitations
Elapsed time must be positive. Position change does not reveal the total path length or the final instantaneous velocity.
Frequently asked questions
Why is starting position subtracted on this page?
The change in position, not the absolute endpoint position, determines displacement.
Does this position-based result give final instantaneous velocity?
No. It gives the average velocity over the stated interval.
Can equal starting and ending positions imply nonzero travel?
Yes. Returning to the start gives zero displacement even after travel along a longer path.