Boneyard Tools

Angular Velocity Calculator

Enter a rotational speed as RPM or radians per second to convert between RPM, rad/s and deg/s. Add a radius to also get the tangential (linear) speed.

How to use the angular velocity calculator

  1. Choose whether you are entering RPM or radians per second.
  2. Type the value, and optionally a radius in metres.
  3. Read RPM, rad/s, deg/s and tangential speed in m/s.

Examples

Convert 60 RPM

rpm = 60
6.2832 rad/s, 360 deg/s

Add a 0.5 m radius

rpm = 60, radius = 0.5 m
tangential speed = 3.1416 m/s

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert RPM to rad/s?

Multiply RPM by 2 x pi and divide by 60. One revolution is 2 x pi radians and one minute is 60 seconds, so 60 RPM equals 6.2832 rad/s.

How do I convert rad/s to deg/s?

Multiply the angular velocity in rad/s by 180 and divide by pi. A full circle is 2 x pi radians or 360 degrees.

What is tangential speed?

Tangential speed is how fast a point on the rim moves along its path. It equals the angular velocity in rad/s times the radius in metres.

Why does the tool need a radius for linear speed?

Angular velocity alone describes how fast something spins. The linear speed of a point depends on how far that point sits from the axis, which is the radius.

Can I enter radians per second instead of RPM?

Yes. Provide either RPM or radians per second. The tool fills in the other measures, including deg/s and tangential speed when a radius is given.

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