Radian per second (rad/s)
The SI unit of angular velocity; one radian of rotation per second
The Radian per second (rad/s) is a unit of angular velocity used in scientific, engineering, and practical contexts. Unit standardization in the field of angular velocity has evolved over centuries as international scientific bodies and engineering organizations developed consistent measurement frameworks. The International System of Units (SI) provides the modern foundation for most technical measurements, though legacy units from national and industrial traditions continue to be used alongside SI units in many fields. The Radian per second is precisely defined to ensure consistent, reproducible measurements across laboratories and industries worldwide.
Accurate angular velocity measurement is critical in engineering, science, commerce, and everyday life. Using the correct unit and applying conversions precisely prevents errors that can be costly or dangerous in professional applications. MegaCalc provides instant, precise conversions for the Radian per second and all related units so you can work confidently across unit systems.
Conversion Table
| Unit | Symbol | 1 rad/s = |
|---|---|---|
| Revolutions per minute | RPM | 9.5493 RPM |
| Degree per second | deg/s | 57.2958 deg/s |
| Revolution per second | rev/s | 0.159155 rev/s |
| Hertz (rotational) | Hz | 0.159155 Hz |
Conversions Involving Radian per second
Radian per second → Revolutions per minute
rad/s → RPM
Radian per second → Degree per second
rad/s → deg/s
Radian per second → Revolution per second
rad/s → rev/s
Radian per second → Hertz (rotational)
rad/s → Hz
Revolutions per minute → Radian per second
RPM → rad/s
Degree per second → Radian per second
deg/s → rad/s
Revolution per second → Radian per second
rev/s → rad/s
Hertz (rotational) → Radian per second
Hz → rad/s
Common Uses of the Radian per second
- •Scientific research — expressing angular velocity values in published studies, experimental data, and journal articles where SI unit conventions apply
- •Engineering design — specifying angular velocity requirements in technical drawings, calculations, and simulation input files across metric and imperial systems
- •Quality control — measuring and verifying angular velocity in manufactured products to ensure conformance to design tolerances and international standards
- •Education — teaching angular velocity concepts in physics, engineering, and applied science courses with worked examples in multiple unit systems
- •Industry standards — meeting regulatory and specification requirements for angular velocity as defined by international bodies such as ISO, ASME, ASTM, and NIST
Did You Know?
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Sèvres, France, is the custodian of the International System of Units (SI). The BIPM coordinates global measurement science and maintains the definitions of base units that underpin all scientific and industrial measurement. The Radian per second is part of this global measurement framework that ensures a scientific result in one country means exactly the same thing when replicated in another. This traceability is essential in fields from pharmaceutical manufacturing to aerospace engineering where measurement errors can have serious consequences. Since 2019, all seven SI base units are defined in terms of fundamental physical constants — the speed of light, the Planck constant, the Boltzmann constant, and others — freeing measurement standards from dependence on physical artifacts forever.