Convert Pace from Second per foot (s/ft) to other units
Multiple conversions

What is a Second per Foot (s/ft)?

A second per foot (s/ft) is a pace unit — it measures how long it takes to travel a given distance.

Think of it as the inverse of speed: while speed (like miles per hour) tells you how far you go in a set time, pace tells you how much time it takes to cover one unit of distance — in this case, one foot.

The plural form is seconds per foot. It's a base unit in the imperial measurement system.

Understanding Pace vs. Speed: What's the Difference?

Pace and speed are two sides of the same coin. They describe motion but from different perspectives.

• Speed measures distance per unit of time (e.g., feet per second, or fps). It answers the question, "How fast am I going?"
• Pace measures time per unit of distance (e.g., seconds per foot, or s/ft). It answers the question, "How long does it take me to cover a set distance?"

The relationship is simple: Pace = 1/Speed

This means a high speed equals a low pace, and a low speed equals a high pace. For example, an object moving at a speed of 2 feet per second has a pace of 0.5 seconds per foot (because 1 ÷ 2 = 0.5).

How to Convert Seconds per Foot (s/ft) to Seconds per Meter (s/m)

To compare pace measurements globally, you often need to convert from the imperial system (feet) to the metric system (meters). This is crucial for scientists, athletes, and engineers who work with international data.

Since one foot equals 0.3048 meters, you can convert from s/ft to seconds per meter (s/m) with a simple formula:

• Pace (s/m) = Pace (s/ft) ÷ 0.3048

For example, if an object has a pace of 5 s/ft, its pace in s/m would be approximately 16.4 s/m (5 ÷ 0.3048 ≈ 16.4).

Where is Second per Foot Used?

You won't find "seconds per foot" on a car's speedometer.

Still, in niche fields it's a functional unit for precise, short-distance measurements — ideal for very slow movement.

Some practical examples include:

• Materials Science: To measure the slow rate at which a crack spreads across a material.
• Geology: To describe the incredibly slow movement of tectonic plates.
• High-Speed Videography: To analyze an object's motion frame-by-frame as it travels just a single foot.