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Speed
Speed
Speed refers to the rate at which a character, object, or force can move or operate. It is a key measure of performance in both combat and travel, and can be broken down into several distinct categories, each addressing a different aspect of movement. Understanding the different types of speed is crucial for analyzing how a character functions in different scenarios.
Attack Speed
Attack Speed refers to how quickly an attack is deployed or how fast it reaches its target once executed. This is often a separate measurement from the user's own physical speed. For example, a character might have hypersonic or even faster physical movement, but their attacks might not be as fast. In some cases, attacks might move faster than the user, such as with projectiles or energy blasts.
For example, if a character like X is capable of hypersonic movement but utilizes an attack that is naturally a beam of light, the speed of that attack would be considered lightspeed, regardless of the user's own physical limitations. This distinction is important in cases where an attack's speed does not align with the character's overall mobility.
Reaction Speed
Reaction Speed is the rate at which a character can perceive and respond to external stimuli. This is different from both Attack and Travel Speed because it typically involves a much quicker, but often short, movement. Reaction Speed determines how quickly a character can move in response to something happening around them, such as dodging an attack or evading an obstacle.
In many cases, Reaction Speed is only relevant in scenarios where the character needs to avoid or counteract something in real time. For example, characters from *Avatar: The Last Airbender* such as Aang or Zuko are shown to have Reaction Speeds fast enough to dodge lightning bolts. While Reaction Speed might not involve large, sweeping movements, it plays a critical role in how well a character can handle danger or interact with their environment.
Travel Speed
Travel Speed refers to the overall speed at which a character can move from one location to another. This typically includes running, walking, or any other method of locomotion that does not involve supernatural means such as flight or teleportation. Travel Speed is one of the most common measures of speed in terms of characters' overall mobility.
For example, a character might be able to run at speeds far beyond normal human limits, such as at Superhuman or Hypersonic speeds, allowing them to cover vast distances quickly. While this is useful for moving across a battlefield or for rapid travel in a story, it does not directly equate to how fast they can attack or react to incoming threats.
Flight Speed
Flight Speed refers to the speed at which a character or object can travel while flying. This is distinct from Travel Speed because it specifically involves aerial movement, and characters who are capable of flight often can travel at higher speeds than they could while running or walking. Flight Speed is measured by the distance a character or object can travel in a set amount of time, often over long distances.
For example, a character who can fly might reach incredible speeds such as Mach 5 or even Lightspeed when soaring through the sky. Flight Speed is crucial for characters in airborne combat, long-range travel, or even space exploration. It allows characters to traverse environments that are not accessible by conventional means, and it is often depicted as a powerful advantage in battles.
Conversion
For those who need to convert between various units of speed, there are tools available to help facilitate quick and easy conversions. For instance, you can use this calculator to convert from one speed unit to another, whether you're comparing running speeds to flight speeds, or measuring something like Mach speeds against sound velocity.
Levels of Speed
For those wondering where our mach numbers come from, they come from here.
For the human speed tiers, the speed is based off running at a sustainable pace, where one can keep that speed for a decent period of time without burning out fast or falling in speed, thus shot burst speeds are considered higher. For example Usain Bolt's famous running speed is through short power bursts.
| Names | m/s | Mach | SoL | km/h | mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immobile | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Below Average Human | 0 - 2.5 | 0 - 0.0073 | 0% - 8.3e-7% | 0 - 9 | 0 - 5.6 |
| Average Human | 2.5 - 4.47 | 0.0073 - 0.0131 | 8.3e-7% - 1.5e-6% | 9 - 16.1 | 5.6 - 10 |
| Athletic Human | 4.47 - 6.7 | 0.0131 - 0.0196 | 1.5e-6% - 2.3e-6% | 16.1 - 24 | 10 - 15 |
| Peak Human | 6.7 - 9 | 0.0196 - 0.0263 | 2.3e-6% - 3.0e-6% | 24 - 32.4 | 15 - 20 |
| Superhuman | 9 - 154.35 | 0.0263 - 0.45 | 3.0e-6% - 5.1485618e-7% | 32.4 - 555.66 | 20 - 345.271117 |
| Superhuman+ | 154.35 - 274.4 | 0.45 - 0.8 | 5.1485618e-7% - 9.152999e-7% | 555.66 - 987.84 | 345.27111783.635 - 613.81532 |
| Transonic | 274.4 - 360.15 | 0.8-1.05 | 9.152999e-7% - 1.2013311e-6% | 987.84 - 1296.54 | 613.81532 - 805.632606 |
| Transonic+ | 360.15 - 445.9 | 1.05-1.3 | 1.2013311e-6% - 1.487362e-6% | 1296.54 - 1605.24 | 805.632606 - 997.44989 |
| Supersonic | 445.9 - 1080.45 | 1.3 - 3.15 | 1.487362e-6% - 3.60399327e-6% | 1605.24 - 3889.62 | 997.44989 - 2416.897817 |
| Supersonic+ | 1080.45 - 1715 | 3.15 - 5 | 3.60399327e-6% - 5.7206e-6% | 3889.62 - 6174 | 2416.897817 - 3836.35 |
| Hypersonic | 1715 - 2572.5 | 5 - 7.5 | 5.7206e-6% - 8.5809e-6% | 6174 - 9261 | 3836.35 - 5754.52 |
| Hypersonic+ | 2572.5 - 3430 | 7.5 - 10 | 8.5809e-6% - 1.1441e-5% | 9261 - 12348 | 5754.52 - 7672.69 |
| High Hypersonic | 3430 - 6002.5 | 10 - 17.5 | 1.1441e-5% - 2.00222e-5% | 12348 - 21609 | 7672.69 - 13427.21 |
| High Hypersonic+ | 6002.5 - 8575 | 17.5 - 25 | 2.00222e-5% - 2.8603e-5% | 21609 - 30870 | 13427.21 - 19181.7 |
| Massively Hypersonic | 8575 - 1.499e+7 | 25 - 43714 | 2.8603e-5% - 5.0014274% | 30870 - 5.3965e+7 | 19181.7 - 3.35401e+7 |
| Massively Hypersonic+ | 1.499e+7 - 2.998e+7 | 43714 - 87403 | 5.0014274% - 10% | 5.3965e+7 - 1.079e+8 | 3.35401e+7 - 6.7062e+7 |
| Relativistic | 2.998e+7 - 2.968e+8 | 87403 - 865290 | 10%-99% | 1.079e+8 - 1.068e+9 | 6.7062e+7 - 6.639e+8 |
| Relativistic+ | 2.968e+8 - 299792458 | 865290 - 874030 | 99% - 100% | 1.068e+9 - 1.079e+9 | 6.639e+8 - 6.706e+8 |
| Speed of Light | 299792458 | 874030 | 100% | 1.079e+9 | 6.706e+8 |
Faster Than Light (FTL)
Once we surpass the speed of light, we enter a realm that defies conventional physics. According to established principles of physics, accelerating to the speed of light would require infinite energy, and any speeds greater than light would produce imaginary numbers. However, in fiction, many characters surpass these limits without any issue, often having finite energy values despite their FTL capabilities.
The FTL speed tier spans the full range of velocities above light speed. This includes any speed that is greater than the speed of light, regardless of how it’s portrayed. It's important to note that Kinetic Energy (KE) calculations do not apply to characters with FTL speeds, as the standard KE formula is based on speeds below the speed of light.
For further details, including feats of dodging light and the conditions required to achieve FTL, refer to our light dodging feats and requirements for light speed and faster than light speed pages.
Incalculable Level
The "Incalculable" level refers to speeds that cannot be measured using conventional methods, such as the standard formula for speed (S = D/T). These speeds exist either below, beyond, or are undefinable to the typical scope of quantifiable movement. While these speeds are not inherently greater than other speed tiers, some of them may surpass others.
Incalculable speeds are often tied to fictional concepts or mechanics that allow characters to move in ways that transcend normal limitations, such as shifting through dimensions or existing outside the standard rules of physics. The nature of these speeds makes them fundamentally different from those that can be calculated or even conceptually understood.
| Names | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Unknown: Lower Reality | Similar to Unknown-E in the Tiering System, as one cannot truly quantify the energy within a "fictional world", one cannot truly quantify the distance within it either. Thus making it a level that's incalculable. |
| Unknown: True | Similar to Unknown-D in the tiering system, where the character or entity is essentially featless and has no true level of speed to list. |
| Unknown: Undefinable | Movement for a character that breaks the speed formula entirely, being within a similar state to division by zero on a graph. As these characters are undefinable and unknown it is not exactly correct to say they are "greater" in speed then the lower speed tiers, moreso that normal ideas such as them being speed blitzed would operate differently for them. As we cannot truly define how a person would operate when within the S = Undefined, we cannot truly state how greater or lesser they are then other speeds. |
| Infinite | Movement for a character that has traveled an infinite distance in a finite amount of time, this is impossible in reality as traveling an infinite distance would take an infinite amount of time due to the way infinity works. Just as characters who are Faster Than Light break physics, those with Infinite do the same. Instantaneous Action can also fall under this category, where a character performs multiple actions in an instant, effectively operating in zero time. In such cases, the concept of "speed" doesn't apply in the conventional sense, as there is no measurable time between the actions. This involves doing multiple actions simultaneously or in a single, imperceptible instant, which is a form of breaking normal time constraints. |
Other Abilities Similar to Speed
Teleportation — The ability to move instantaneously from one location to another without physically traversing the space in between. It is often based on spatial manipulation, magic, or advanced technology. In some cases, teleportation also permits travel through time, dimensions, or metaphysical planes.
Dimensional Travel — The capacity to move between dimensions. This can result from the use of magic, space-time manipulation, or similar powers, allowing characters to cross realities or enter entirely different planes of existence.
Absolute Access — A power that allows a character to reach any destination or location regardless of distance or speed, bypassing conventional limitations entirely.
Omnipresence — A state of being present everywhere at once. This is not a speed in the conventional sense, but a metaphysical trait. Omnipresent entities may exist throughout space-time, in all forms of consciousness, and across every conceivable realm simultaneously. Evaluating such a state requires deeper contextual analysis in each individual case.
Additional Terms
"+" Symbol
The + symbol is used when a speed feat reaches the upper boundary of a given speed category, but not enough to enter the next tier. Unlike in Attack Potency, it does not refer to a calculated average of values but simply indicates the high-end range of a tier.
- Example: A speed of 1,185 m/s qualifies as Supersonic+.*
At Least
Used to denote the minimum confirmed speed of a character when the full extent is unknown. This often applies when a character performs a feat casually, suggesting they are capable of more.
At Most
Used to indicate the maximum reliable speed of a character when a feat may be questionable or inconsistent with other demonstrations of speed.
Likely
Used for hypothetical speeds that are supported by context or indirect evidence but lack direct feats. The likelihood of the statistic being accurate is favorable.
Possibly
Also used for hypothetical speeds, but applied when the evidence is weaker or the probability of accuracy is indeterminate. This signals more speculative estimations.
Notes
Note 1: The speed tiers used have intersecting limits, which may be confusing to some readers. These divisions are based on Exclusive Form grouping, where the true lower limit is the stated one, and the true upper limit is just short of the next tier’s lower bound.
Examples:
- Mach 10 falls under High Hypersonic, not Hypersonic+.
- Mach 5 falls under Hypersonic, not Supersonic+.
- 20 mph falls under Superhuman, not Peak Human.
Note 2: It is entirely possible for one character at Faster Than Light speeds to Speed Blitz another character also classified as Faster Than Light. The same applies to Relativistic+ characters. Even slight differences in decimal values can result in massive relativistic effects.
Note 3: Traveling at the speed of light through space is experienced as instantaneous by the one moving. From the traveler's perspective, all locations along their path are occupied at once, and there is no measurable time or distance. This means someone moving at light speed would not perceive a timeframe or progression through space.
Note 4: A common misinterpretation in speed scaling involves feats of moving across a scrolling starfield. These are unreliable indicators of Faster Than Light speed because:
- Distant stars appear static even at high sublight speeds.
- Starfield parallax is often a visual shorthand to convey motion in space, not actual traversal speed.
- The depicted proximity of stars is usually unrealistic or inconsistent with interstellar scales.
- Similar visual effects can be seen by simply circling Earth at subsonic speeds.
For more on this visual shorthand, see: Space Flecks, Streaming Stars, and Motion Parallax.
Note 5: Omnipresence is not a form of speed but a state of being. An omnipresent entity does not move — they are already present at all locations they exist in.
For example, a character omnipresent on a universal scale is not necessarily Faster Than Light. Being everywhere does not mean one can move or react faster than all others.
However, a character omnipresent throughout both space and time could potentially react to all actions before they occur, not because of speed, but because they exist outside the normal flow of time, simultaneously experiencing past, present, and future.
Note 6:
Being able to move into a timeless void falls under our Timeless Void Standards. If applicable, a character will receive Timeless Physiology.
Note 7:
Characters that are able to move backward and forwards through time simultaneously by movement alone qualify for Faster Than Light speed, this is due to various theories stating one achieves Faster Than Light speeds doing this, including Tachyon Particles. Additionally, characters able to move through separate space-times through speed alone would also qualify for the speed.
Note 8:
Please don't use the following speed terms on our wiki: "Sub-Relativistic," "Sub-Relativistic+," and "Immeasurable" as the terms.
The former pair was deemed unreliable for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, the "sub" part of both terms means beneath Relativistic speed. This can be potentially confusing to use as the term is typically associated with a velocity slower than the speed of light to which relativistic effects do not matter. This could technically apply to all preceding speed names as none of them are fast enough to experience significant relativistic effects, so that is partially why our wiki doesn't use these pair of terms. The other reason is the lack of meaningful scientific classifications using the terms around the speed values usually proposed with them. They have been merged with the Massively Hypersonic and Massively Hypersonic+ values because of these issues.
"Infinite" and "Immeasurable" speed tend to confuse when different mediums use the term but not to the same definition as our wiki. Considering that our wiki handles the idea of the former "Infinite speed" now refers to moving at an infinite distance in a finite amount of time or doing instantaneous actions in 0 time, with "Immeasurable" speed being removed entirely.
Usage of these terms on profiles is prohibited because of this, and it is heavily discouraged on threads to say them.
Note 9:
Faster than the eye feats are in real physics considered far higher than how they are treated in fiction, with scenarios where they can even reach Light Speed. Fiction never usually takes this type of speed into account, thus faster than the eye feats are handled on a case-by-case basis with it serving as a level for Superhuman as moving faster than the eye would at the very least put you beyond Peak Human. There are cases too where it isn't a matter of speed but a matter of abusing a blind spot to move faster than one can react.
Note 10:
It’s important to differentiate between reaction speed and movement speed. A character may be able to react instantaneously or at a faster rate than they can physically move, which could result in discrepancies when interpreting their speed feats. A character may perform feats that indicate instantaneous reactions but not necessarily have the movement speed to match. The same applies to reaction speed vs. travel speed — just because someone can react at relativistic speeds doesn't mean they can travel at that speed.
Note 11:
Some speed feats that involve dodging attacks often fall under a special category of feats that take into account not just raw speed but tactical awareness, predictive abilities, or even precognition. It’s crucial to account for these factors when discussing a character's speed because some characters can perceive and react to high-speed attacks without actually moving at comparable speeds themselves.
Note 12:
In relation to speed feats in the wiki, it is important to remember that scaling can be highly complex. Sometimes, a character’s speed is directly tied to another character’s abilities or feats. For example, if a character is shown to be able to keep up with a faster being due to manipulating time to keep up with them, that doesn't mean they are the same speed as them. It’s crucial to distinguish between actual feats and implied scaling.
