Sperm cell swimming
Sperm cell swimming refers to the speed at which a human sperm cell moves through fluid using its tail for propulsion.
Also known as: sperm swimming speed, spermatozoon speed
How big is it?
5 × 10⁻⁵ m/s
Representative progressive speed · representative
Typical recorded range: 2 × 10⁻⁵ m/s to 0.0002 m/s.
A little perspective
Electron drift in household copper wiring is about 2 times larger on this measurement.
Electron drift in household copper wiring: This refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Sperm cell swimming
A representative 50 micrometres per second progressive swimming speed for a human sperm cell under laboratory observation. Individual cells, sample preparation, medium and measurement method produce a broad distribution.
NCBI — Human sperm motility assessment
The marked representative progressive speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Electron drift in household copper wiring
A representative 0.1 mm/s electron drift speed in a current-carrying household copper conductor. Wire area, current and carrier density change the value; the electrical signal propagates far faster.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked representative charge-carrier drift speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 5 × 10⁻⁵ m/s
For comparison, this page uses representative progressive speed. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 2 × 10⁻⁵ m/s to 0.0002 m/s.
A representative 50 micrometres per second progressive swimming speed for a human sperm cell under laboratory observation. Individual cells, sample preparation, medium and measurement method produce a broad distribution.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Sperm cell swimming dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 × 10⁻⁵ m/s | 2 × 10⁻⁵ m/s to 0.0002 m/s | representative |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible speed records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · MotionSlime mould migration1 × 10⁻⁵ m/sSlime mould migration is the rate at which a motile stage of slime mould advances across a surface in search of food.
Nearest higher value · MotionElectron drift in household copper wiring0.0001 m/sThis refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NCBI — Human sperm motility assessmentProgressive sperm motion is measured in micrometres per second and varies across cells, samples and methods.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MotionRed blood cell in a capillary0.001 m/sA red blood cell in a capillary refers to an erythrocyte moving through the body's smallest blood vessels as part of microcirculation.
MotionSnail crawling0.001 m/sSnail crawling is the slow movement of a snail as it glides along a surface using its muscular foot.MotionElectron drift in household copper wiring0.0001 m/sThis refers to the slow average movement of electrons through copper wire when an electric current flows.MotionSlime mould migration1 × 10⁻⁵ m/sSlime mould migration is the rate at which a motile stage of slime mould advances across a surface in search of food.MotionSea star tube-foot travel0.0003 m/sSea star tube-foot travel is the movement speed of a sea star as it uses its tube feet to glide over surfaces.MotionGarden snail relaxed crawl0.0008 m/sA garden snail relaxed crawl describes the slow, steady movement of a garden snail as it glides along a surface.MotionBanana slug crawl0.0015 m/sBanana slug crawl refers to the speed at which a banana slug moves across a surface using muscular contractions and mucus secretion.MotionEarthworm surface crawl0.005 m/sEarthworm surface crawl is the rate at which an earthworm moves along the ground by extending and contracting its body segments.