Guide

Quarter mile to 0-60: converting ET and trap speed

There is no exact way to convert a quarter-mile time into a 0-60 time, because a quarter mile ends at a much higher speed and the two numbers depend on different parts of the run. What you can do is use the quarter mile to estimate power, then estimate 0-60 from that power.

Assumes a flat, dry road at sea level and about 68 °F, with the usual 1 ft rollout. Results are estimates.

How the estimate works

The tool tries different power levels in the same simulation the 0-60 calculator uses, until the simulated quarter-mile time matches yours. It then reads off the 0-60 time for that power. The answer depends on how accurate your weight, tires and drive wheels are, so treat it as a range, not a measurement.

Quarter-mile formulas

Two widely used rules of thumb relate weight and horsepower to the quarter mile. Elapsed time is roughly ET ≈ C × (weight ÷ hp)^(1/3), and trap speed is roughly mph ≈ 234 × (hp ÷ weight)^(1/3). The constant C is about 6.0 to 6.3 depending on the source; 6.269 is commonly attributed to Hale. Definitions also vary (flywheel or wheel hp, weight with or without the driver), which is a main source of error.

Working backwards to horsepower

Rearranged, hp ≈ weight × (trap speed ÷ 234)³. A 3,500 lb car trapping at 100 mph works out to about 273 hp. From elapsed time, hp ≈ weight × (6.269 ÷ ET)³. Try both in the car hp calculator.

1/8 mile to 1/4 mile

As a rough rule, a quarter-mile ET is about 1.5 to 1.6 times the 1/8-mile ET for the same run. Treat it as a sanity check, not a measurement.

Next steps

Want to change conditions such as altitude, temperature or road grade? Enter the implied power in the 0-60 calculator, which also shows 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile times. To see how the physics works, read the 0-60 formula guide.

Quarter-mile time, trap speed and 0-60 by horsepower

For comparison, here is what the same simulation gives for a 3,500 lb rear-wheel-drive gasoline coupe with an automatic transmission and summer tires, on a dry, flat road at sea level and 68 °F, with rollout. Weight includes the driver.

Trap speed keeps rising with power, while the gain in 0-60 time shrinks at the high end because traction limits the launch. That is one reason two cars with similar quarter-mile times can have different 0-60 times, and why the tool above asks for drive wheels and tires.

Related guides and tools

• 0-60 calculator

  Estimate 0-60, 0-100 km/h and quarter-mile times from power and weight.

• 0-60 formula

  The physics behind the estimate, with worked examples and a time chart.

• Car hp calculator

  Convert torque, trap speed or elapsed time into horsepower.

Last updated: October 24, 2026. Estimates only; see the Terms.