How quick is a car from a standstill? Enter horsepower, weight, drivetrain and transmission for an estimated 0–60 mph time, 0–100 km/h, power-to-weight ratio and a quarter-mile estimate.
Last updated:
hp
Magazine tests usually include the driver.
Drivetrain
Transmission
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the 0-60 Time Calculator
Enter horsepower and whether it is the factory (crank) rating or a wheel dyno figure.
Enter the curb weight plus the driver and any cargo.
Choose the drivetrain and transmission type.
Read the 0–60 estimate, power-to-weight ratio and quarter-mile figures.
Check the table to see how a power upgrade or weight loss would change it.
How the 0-60 estimate works
0–60 time ≈ 1.1 × (weight ÷ horsepower)0.66 × drivetrain factor × transmission factor, never less than a traction floor (AWD 2.3 s, RWD 2.7 s, FWD 3.6 s).
Factors: AWD 0.92, RWD 1.00, FWD 1.05; automatic 1.00, dual-clutch 0.96, manual 1.06, electric 0.85.
The quarter-mile figures use Roger Hale's classic drag-racing formulas: ET = 5.825 × (lb/hp)1/3 and trap speed = 234 × (hp/lb)1/3.
Power-to-weight: hp per ton = hp ÷ (lb ÷ 2,000); W/kg = kW × 1,000 ÷ kg (1 hp = 0.7457 kW).
Weight-to-power vs typical 0-60 times
lb per hp
hp per ton
Estimated 0–60 (RWD auto)
Typical car
25
80
≈ 9.2 s
Economy car
20
100
≈ 7.9 s
Compact sedan
15
133
≈ 6.6 s
V6 family car
12
167
≈ 5.7 s
Sport sedan
10
200
≈ 5.0 s
Sports car
8
250
≈ 4.3 s
Performance coupe
6
333
≈ 3.6 s
Supercar
Frequently asked questions
How is 0-60 time estimated from horsepower and weight?
The calculator uses an empirical curve fitted to typical road-test results: 0–60 ≈ 1.1 × (pounds per horsepower)^0.66 seconds, then adjusts for drivetrain and transmission and applies a traction limit. A 3,580 lb car with 300 hp (11.9 lb/hp, RWD automatic) comes out at about 5.7 seconds.
What is a good power-to-weight ratio?
Everyday cars are often around 15–20 lb per hp (100–135 hp per ton). Sporty cars are about 10–12 lb/hp, and high-performance cars are under 8 lb/hp. Lower lb/hp, or higher hp/ton, means quicker acceleration.
Why do AWD cars launch faster?
All four tires share the job of putting power down, so AWD cars can use more power off the line without wheelspin. Front-wheel-drive cars lose traction as weight shifts to the rear under acceleration, which limits powerful FWD cars.
Why are electric cars so quick from 0 to 60?
Electric motors deliver strong torque from zero rpm with no gear changes, and traction control can react very fast. That is why the calculator applies a 0.85 factor for single-speed electric drivetrains.
What is the difference between crank and wheel horsepower?
Manufacturers rate engines at the crankshaft. A chassis dyno measures power at the wheels, after drivetrain losses of roughly 10–20%. The calculator converts wheel horsepower by dividing by 0.85.
How accurate is a 0-60 estimate?
Expect roughly ±0.5 seconds for typical cars. Gearing, torque curve, tires, launch control, altitude, temperature and whether the test uses a 1-foot rollout can all move real results, especially for very fast cars.
How do I convert 0-60 mph to 0-100 km/h?
100 km/h is 62.1 mph, so a 0–100 km/h time is slightly longer, usually about 3–5% more than the 0–60 mph time. The calculator multiplies by 1.04.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.