Motion and speed

Bullet

A bullet is a small metal projectile fired from a gun or rifle.

How big is it?

2,880 km/h

Also 1,790 mph

Speed · example

Scale illustration of Bullet, calibrated to its speed measurement.
The marked speed represents 2,880 km/h.

A little perspective

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is about 1.23 times larger on this measurement.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed for the United States Air Force during the Cold War.

Equal time
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND800 m in 1 s980 m in 1 s
01
Bullet2,880 km/hSpeed
02
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird3,528 km/hRepresentative cruise speed
Each track shows distance covered in the same second. The small illustrations identify the movers; their sizes are schematic.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +

Bullet

A chosen 800 m/s muzzle-speed example. Projectile, firearm, ammunition and distance affect speed.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

A rounded SR-71 reference: 32.7 m long, 16.9 m span, about 78 t maximum takeoff mass and roughly 980 m/s at high-speed cruise. Mission profile changes speed and mass.

NASA Armstrong — SR-71 Blackbird

The marked representative cruise speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

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Why this measurement?

Why we use 2,880 km/h

For comparison, this page uses speed. This is labelled example: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.

A chosen 800 m/s muzzle-speed example. Projectile, firearm, ammunition and distance affect speed.

The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →

Explore motion and speed →

Recorded properties

Bullet dimensions and measurements

PropertySelected valueRecorded rangeBasis
2,880 km/hNot recordedexample

Around this scale

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These links use compatible speed records, ordered around the selected value.

Sources and method

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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.

Read the measurement and artwork methodology →

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