By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Quarter-mile performance follows a well-known empirical relationship with power and weight. The estimates here are for a standing start with good traction and are most reliable for cars in the 10 to 15 second range.
Estimate drag-strip elapsed time and trap speed from power and weight.
ET ≈ 5.825 · (W / P)^(1/3) trap ≈ 234 · (P / W)^(1/3)
W is in pounds and P is in horsepower. Traction, gearing and drivetrain losses can move real results several tenths away from the estimate.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P | Engine power, in horsepower. |
| W | Vehicle weight, in pounds. |
| ET | Elapsed time over the quarter mile, in seconds. |
| trap | Trap speed at the finish, in miles per hour. |
The power-to-weight ratio is 0.1 hp/lb, giving an estimated ET of about 12.55 s and a trap speed near 108.6 mph.
Continue with the Resultant Velocity Calculator, Rolling Resistance Calculator, or the Sled Ride Calculator — or browse more kinematics tools and all physics calculators.
They are typically within a few tenths for production cars. Modified cars with poor traction or unusual gearing can deviate more.
Results are computed from the standard equations of classical mechanics. Unit conversions use the SI definitions published by NIST. Air resistance is ignored unless the calculator names a drag model.
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Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026