Muzzle Velocity Calculator
Determine projectile exit speed from firearms
Calculate using kinetic energy, barrel pressure, or distance & time measurements
Estimation Method
Select the method to estimate projectile exit speed:
Kinetic Energy Method
Calculate exit speed from projectile kinetic energy and mass using: v = √(2 × KE / m)
What is muzzle velocity?
Muzzle velocity is simply the speed of a bullet at the exact moment it leaves the barrel of a firearm. It's one of the most fundamental measurements in ballistics because it directly influences everything from trajectory and accuracy to terminal energy on impact.
💡 Think of muzzle velocity as a bullet's "launch speed" — higher speeds mean flatter trajectories and more energy delivered to the target, but also different recoil characteristics and barrel wear patterns.
Typical bullet speeds vary dramatically depending on firearm type:
🔫 Handguns
1,000 – 1,500 ft/s
(300 – 450 m/s)
🏹 Rifles
2,500 – 3,900 ft/s
(760 – 1,200 m/s)
🪖 Military/Tank
5,000+ ft/s
(1,500+ m/s)
Knowing your firearm's muzzle velocity helps with everything from zero'ing your scope to selecting the right ammunition for hunting at different ranges. For a deeper dive into projectile behavior, check out our Ballistic Coefficient Calculator.
How to use this calculator
This calculator offers three different approaches to determine bullet velocity. Pick the method that matches the data you have available:
Select your estimation method
Choose from Kinetic Energy, Barrel Pressure, or Distance & Time based on what information you have.
Enter the known values
Fill in the measurements you have. The calculator supports multiple units — just select from the dropdown next to each field.
See the result instantly
The unknown value (shown with a blue highlight) updates automatically. You can even edit the result to solve backwards!
Bidirectional solving
This calculator uses smart bidirectional math — edit any field and it will automatically determine which variable to solve for. Perfect for "what if" scenarios!
Method 1: Kinetic Energy
If you know your bullet's kinetic energy (often listed on ammunition boxes as "muzzle energy") and its mass, you can calculate velocity using basic physics. This is the most common method since ammunition manufacturers typically provide these specs.
Velocity from Kinetic Energy
v = √(2 × KE / m)
Where v is muzzle velocity, KE is kinetic energy, and m is bullet mass.
Example: 5.56 NATO round
- Kinetic Energy: 1,300 ft-lb (~1,760 J)
- Bullet Mass: 55 grains (~3.56 g)
- Result: v ≈ 3,260 ft/s (995 m/s)
The calculator handles all unit conversions automatically. Enter energy in ft-lb or Joules, mass in grains or grams — it just works.
Method 2: Barrel Pressure
For those with access to manufacturer specifications or detailed firearm data, the barrel pressure method provides velocity estimates based on internal ballistics — how the expanding gases push the bullet down the barrel.
Velocity from Barrel Pressure
v = √(2 × P × A × L / m)
Where P is average gas pressure, A is bore cross-sectional area, L is barrel length, and m is bullet mass.
Example: .223 Remington (55 grain)
- Chamber Pressure: 52,000 psi
- Bore Diameter: 0.224 inches
- Barrel Length: 20 inches
- Result: v ≈ 3,240 ft/s
⚠️ Note: The bore diameter usually matches the nominal caliber for smoothbore barrels, but rifled barrels may have slightly different actual bore dimensions.
Method 3: Distance & Time
The simplest approach — if you can measure how far a bullet travels and how long it takes, you can calculate velocity. This method is great for field estimates when you don't have detailed specs.
Average Velocity from Distance
v = d / t
Where v is average velocity, d is distance traveled, and t is travel time.
Example: .45 ACP at 500 feet
- Distance to target: 500 feet
- Travel time: ~0.6 seconds
- Result: v ≈ 835 ft/s
⚠️ Important: This method gives you the average velocity over the distance — not true muzzle velocity. Due to air resistance, the actual muzzle velocity will be higher than this average.
Record your shot on video and analyze frame-by-frame to get precise timing. Most smartphone cameras shoot at 30 or 60 fps, giving you ~16-33ms precision.
Real-world examples
Competition Shooter
A precision rifle competitor needs to verify their handload velocity matches their ballistic calculator data for accurate drop compensation at 1,000 yards.
Using: Kinetic Energy method
6.5 Creedmoor • 140gr • 2,700 ft/s
Deer Hunter
A hunter wants to ensure their .308 Winchester has enough energy for ethical kills at 300 yards by verifying muzzle velocity.
Using: Manufacturer specs
150gr • 2,820 ft/s • 2,648 ft-lb
Handloader
An experienced reloader developing a new load wants to predict velocity before testing, using barrel pressure data and components.
Using: Barrel Pressure method
.270 Win • 130gr • 24" barrel
Self-Defense Planning
A concealed carry holder compares velocities of different 9mm loads to understand their terminal performance differences.
Comparing loads
115gr @ 1,180 fps vs 147gr @ 990 fps
For a complete ballistic profile, combine muzzle velocity with our Ballistic Coefficient Calculator to predict trajectory and wind drift.
Tips & best practices
When comparing different loads or firearms, make sure all your measurements come from the same testing conditions (barrel length, temperature, altitude).
Common pitfalls to avoid
- •Mixing metric and imperial units without conversion
- •Using peak pressure instead of average pressure in calculations
- •Forgetting that barrel length significantly affects velocity
- •Assuming manufacturer specs exactly match your specific firearm
🌡️ Temperature matters
Powder burns differently in cold vs hot conditions. Velocity can vary by 50-100 fps between winter and summer shooting.
📏 Barrel length effect
Roughly 25-50 fps per inch of barrel length for most rifle cartridges. A 16" barrel will be notably slower than a 24" barrel.
🧠 For the most accurate results, nothing beats a chronograph. Calculator estimates are great for planning and comparison, but actual measured velocities from your specific firearm are gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the typical 9mm muzzle velocity?
9mm Parabellum typically ranges from 1,100 to 1,400 ft/s depending on bullet weight. A common 124-grain FMJ load runs around 1,150 ft/s from a standard 4" barrel. Lighter 115-grain bullets can reach 1,200+ ft/s, while heavier 147-grain subsonic loads run 900-1,000 ft/s.
How do I calculate muzzle velocity for 5.56 NATO?
For a standard 55-grain M193 load: use kinetic energy of ~1,300 ft-lb with the bullet mass. The formula gives you approximately 3,240-3,260 ft/s from a 20" barrel. Shorter barrels (16" or 14.5") will be 100-200 fps slower.
What's the .223 muzzle velocity with a 55-grain bullet?
Very similar to 5.56 NATO — around 3,240 ft/s from a 20" barrel. However, .223 Remington has slightly lower maximum pressure than 5.56, so velocities may be marginally lower with identical bullets.
What about .45 ACP muzzle velocity?
Standard .45 ACP with a 230-grain FMJ typically runs 830-850 ft/s. Lighter 185-grain loads can reach 1,000+ ft/s, while +P loads push velocities higher. The .45 ACP is designed for subsonic performance with excellent terminal ballistics.
How fast does a bullet travel in mph?
To convert ft/s to mph, multiply by 0.682. So a 3,000 ft/s rifle bullet travels about 2,045 mph — roughly 2.7 times the speed of sound! A 1,150 ft/s 9mm round is about 784 mph.
Why does barrel length affect velocity?
The expanding gases need time to accelerate the bullet. A longer barrel gives more distance for the gas to push. However, there's a point of diminishing returns where the bullet actually starts slowing due to friction. For most rifle cartridges, this "optimal" length is 24-26 inches.
Is higher muzzle velocity always better?
Not necessarily! Higher velocity means flatter trajectory and more energy, but also more recoil, barrel wear, and noise. For suppressed firearms, subsonic ammunition (under ~1,125 ft/s) is often preferred. Match shooters sometimes prefer moderate velocities for consistency.
Can I use this calculator for airguns?
Absolutely! The physics are the same. Airgun pellets typically run 500-1,200 ft/s depending on powerplant type (spring, PCP, CO2). Just enter your pellet weight and known energy, and you'll get the velocity.
Limitations & sources
- •These calculations use idealized physics models. Real-world results vary based on temperature, altitude, humidity, and individual firearm characteristics.
- •The barrel pressure method uses average pressure, not peak pressure. Actual internal ballistics are more complex.
- •The distance/time method gives average velocity, which is always lower than true muzzle velocity due to air resistance.
- •For critical applications (hunting, competition, self-defense), always verify with a chronograph.
External references / further reading
Always practice safe firearm handling. This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only.
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