About the 1/4 Mile Calculator
This drag racing calculator provides accurate estimates of your vehicle's quarter-mile performance based on key mechanical factors. Whether you're preparing for the strip or just curious about your car's potential, this tool helps predict elapsed time (ET), trap speed, and 0-60 acceleration.
How the Calculator Works:
- • Physics-based model: Considers weight, power, drivetrain efficiency, and aerodynamics
- • Shift times: Accounts for gear changes (manual transmissions typically add 0.2-0.4 seconds per shift)
- • Altitude adjustment: Compensates for elevation (higher altitudes reduce engine power by ~1% per 1000ft)
- • Traction factors: Adjusts for different surface conditions from drag radials to wet pavement
- • Results are estimates - actual performance may vary based on driver skill, weather, and other variables
Typical Quarter-Mile Performance Ranges:
- • Economy cars: 16-18 seconds @ 75-85 mph
- • Family sedans: 15-17 seconds @ 85-90 mph
- • Sports cars: 13-15 seconds @ 100-110 mph
- • Muscle cars: 12-13 seconds @ 110-120 mph
- • Performance cars: 11-12 seconds @ 115-125 mph
- • Supercars: 10-11 seconds @ 120-130 mph
- • Drag cars: under 10 seconds @ 130+ mph
Performance Formulas Used:
Elapsed Time (ET) = 5.825 × (Weight/Power)0.286 × DriveType × Traction × AltitudeFactor
Trap Speed = 234 × (Power/Weight)0.287 × DriveType × Traction × AltitudeFactor
Based on modified Fox and Hale formulas for drag racing performance estimation
Improving Your Quarter-Mile Times:
- • Reduce weight: Every 100 lbs removed can improve ET by ~0.1 seconds
- • Increase power: Adding 10% horsepower typically reduces ET by 2-3%
- • Improve traction: Drag radials can cut 0.3-0.5 seconds off ET
- • Optimize shifting: Faster shifts (under 0.2s) provide measurable gains
- • Cooler conditions: Denser air at lower temperatures improves performance