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Terminal velocity is reached when the drag force equals the object's weight, so it stops accelerating. It depends on mass, frontal area, drag coefficient and air density, which is why a heavy, compact object falls faster than a light, wide one.
The steady fall speed where drag balances weight.
v_t = √(2mg / (ρ A C_d))
This is the quadratic drag model. It applies when the flow is turbulent around the object, which is typical for falling bodies in air.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| m | Mass, in kilograms. |
| A | Frontal area, in square metres. |
| C_d | Drag coefficient (dimensionless). |
| ρ | Fluid density, in kilograms per cubic metre. |
| v_t | Terminal velocity, in metres per second. |
At sea-level air density the terminal velocity is about 42.8 m/s, or 154 km/h. A smaller or more streamlined object falls faster.
Continue with the Time of Flight Calculator, Trajectory Calculator, or the Velocity Calculator — or browse more kinematics tools and all physics calculators.
Weight grows with mass, while drag depends on area and speed. A heavier object needs a higher speed for drag to balance its weight.
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