1 second
1 sTime · definition
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
Time
Just how long is 1 second?
One second is the SI base unit of time.
A day in the life
1 s
ELAPSED TIME
1 second
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
1 sTime
0
Heartbeat
A heartbeat is the regular contraction of the heart that pumps blood through the body.
1 sTime
0
Both timelines start together. Length measures elapsed time, not a physical distance.
A little perspective
1 second is approximately equal to the duration of a heartbeat.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
1 second
Time: 1 s; definition.
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
Heartbeat
Time: 1 s; reference interval.
One beat per second corresponds to 60 beats per minute; this is a timing example.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked time is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
Compare 1 second with the duration of a heartbeat. The notes below explain how each value was chosen.
Heartbeat
1 sTime · reference interval
One beat per second corresponds to 60 beats per minute; this is a timing example.
- Comparing
- Time ↔ Time
- Relative size
- 1 second is approximately equal to the duration of a heartbeat.
How to read the visual
The diagram uses the recorded measurements. Details outside the marked spans do not set the scale.
- The duration of a heartbeat: The measurement is labelled reference interval. Check the source notes for its basis.
A duration is an interval, not a calendar date.
0.00027778 hhours
1.1574 × 10⁻⁵ daysdays
3.1688 × 10⁻⁸ yearsyears
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
A little smaller. A little larger.