Answer · confidence: strong
How fast does Earth spin, and how fast does it go around the Sun?
Research question: What speed does the Earth's surface move at because of its rotation, and how fast does the Earth travel around the Sun?
The records show that because of rotation, the Earth's surface at the equator moves at about 1,674.7 km/h (about 1,040.6 mph) 1, or about 460 metres per second 2. The Earth travels around the Sun at a speed between 29.29 and 30.29 km/s 7, with an average of about 107,200 km/h (66,616 mph) 12. The newest of these facts is dated May 19, 2026, roughly five months before October 2026, though several of the orbital and rotational figures are undated 1112. The sources round the values differently but agree on the overall magnitudes 11117.
Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
Earth's rotational surface speed at the equator is about 1,674.7 km/h (about 1,040.6 mph), and it decreases with latitude until it becomes zero at the poles.
"Earth's rotational speed is about 1,674.7 km/h (1,040.6 mph; 465.2 m/s; 1,526.2 ft/s) at the equator, but it decreases with latitude, becoming zero at the poles."Earth's rotation
[2] supported
Locations on the equator have the fastest rotational speed of any latitude, about 460 metres per second.
"Sites near the equator, such as the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou , French Guiana, are good locations for spaceports as they have the fastest rotational speed of any latitude, 460 metres (1,510 ft) /sec."Equator
[3] supported
The equatorial speed is found by dividing Earth's equatorial circumference by the length of a sidereal day.
"At the equator, the speed is about 1,674.7 km/h (1,040.6 mph) , calculated by dividing Earth's equatorial circumference ( c. 40,075 km (24,901 mi) ) by the length of a sidereal day ( c. 23.93 hours )."Earth's rotation
[4] supported
A NASA history source gives Earth's maximum rotational velocity at the equator as 460 metres per second.
"A launching due east from a site on the equator could take advantage of the earth's maximum rotational velocity (460 m/s (1,510 ft/s)) to achieve orbital speed."Equator
[5] supported
The speed at any latitude is the equatorial speed multiplied by the cosine of that latitude; at 45° latitude it is roughly 1,184.2 km/h.
"The speed at any given latitude can be calculated by multiplying the equatorial speed by the cosine of the latitude. At the equator, the speed is about 1,674.7 km/h (1,040.6 mph) , calculated by dividing Earth's equatorial circumference"Earth's rotation
[6] supported
At 45° latitude, Earth's rotational speed is roughly 1,184.2 km/h (735.8 mph).
"At middle latitudes , the speed decreases; for example, at 45° latitude, the speed is roughly 1,184.2 km/h (735.8 mph) ( 1674.7 × cos (45°) )."Earth's rotation
[7] supported
The Earth travels around the Sun at a speed ranging from 29.29 to 30.29 km/s.
"Earth revolves in orbit around the Sun in 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes with reference to the stars, at a speed ranging from 29.29 to 30.29 km/s."Chapter 2: Reference Systems - NASA Science
[8] supported
The Earth's orbit is elliptical, with its closest approach to the Sun (perihelion) occurring at a distance of 147,090,000 km.
"Earth's orbit is elliptical and reaches its closest approach to the Sun, a perihelion of 147,090,000 km, on about January fourth of each year."Chapter 2: Reference Systems - NASA Science
[9] supported
The Earth's farthest point from the Sun (aphelion) is at a distance of 152,100,000 km.
"Aphelion comes six months later at 152,100,000 km."Chapter 2: Reference Systems - NASA Science
[10] supported
The Earth rotates on its axis relative to the Sun every 24.0 hours of mean solar time.
"The Earth rotates on its axis relative to the Sun every 24.0 hours mean solar time, with an inclination of 23.45 degrees from the plane of its orbit around the Sun."Chapter 2: Reference Systems - NASA Science
[11] supported
The Earth's surface moves at approximately 1,670 km/h (1,037 mph) at the equator due to its rotation.
"At the equator, Earth's surface moves eastward at approximately 1,670 km/h (1,037 mph)."How Fast Is The Earth Moving?
[12] supported
The Earth travels around the Sun at an average speed of 107,200 km/h (66,616 mph).
"Earth circles the Sun at an average speed of about 107,200 km/h (66,616 mph), or 29.78 km/s."How Fast Is The Earth Moving?
[13] supported
The Earth's rotational speed varies by latitude, with New York City moving at about 1,260 km/h (785 mph).
"New York City at 40.7 degrees north moves at about 1,260 km/h (785 mph)."How Fast Is The Earth Moving?
[14] supported
The Earth's orbit is elliptical, causing it to move about 1 km/s faster at perihelion than at aphelion.
"By Kepler's second law, Earth moves about 1 km/s faster at perihelion than at aphelion."How Fast Is The Earth Moving?
[15] supported
The Earth's equatorial circumference is approximately 40,075 km (24,901 mi), which is used to calculate the rotational speed.
"Earth's equatorial circumference is approximately 40,075 km (24,901 mi), and the equator completes one full rotation in 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds."How Fast Is The Earth Moving?
[16] supported
The Earth's surface at the equator moves at a speed of 460 meters per second due to rotation.
"Thus, the surface of the earth at the equator moves at a speed of 460 meters per second--or roughly 1,000 miles per hour."How fast is the earth moving?
[17] supported
The Earth travels around the Sun at a speed of nearly 30 kilometers per second.
"It covers this route at a speed of nearly 30 kilometers per second, or 67,000 miles per hour."How fast is the earth moving?
[18] supported
The Earth's rotation period is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09053 seconds.
"The earth rotates once every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.09053 seconds, called the sidereal period"How fast is the earth moving?
[19] supported
The Earth's circumference is roughly 40,075 kilometers.
"its circumference is roughly 40,075 kilometers."How fast is the earth moving?