How to Convert CC to MPH [CC to MPH Chart] | (2024)

While no specific formula for the conversion of engine displacement (cc) to speed (mph) exists, on average 100 cc equals the following mph figures in each vehicle category:

• Riding movers: 100cc = ca. 1 mph
• Sport boats and jet skis: 100cc = 3-7 mph
• UTVs: 100cc = 7-9 mph
• Average cars: 100cc= 5-10 mph
• ATVs: 100cc= 10-12 mph
• Snowmobiles: 100cc = 10-18 mph
• Large motorcycles: 100cc = 10-30 mph
• F1 cars: 100cc= 14-16 mph
• Go-karts: 100cc = 20-30 mph
• Small motorcycles: 30-100 mph

If you wonder where these numbers come from and how it’s possible to convert engine cc to HP, this post is for you.

We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

You might also be interested in:

How to Convert CC to HP

How to Convert HP to MPH

How to Convert CC to Mph

Converting cc (engine displacement) to mph – does this make any sense?

Many say it would be an apples to oranges comparison since CC refers to the engine’s displacement while MPH is the speed of the vehicle. And due to the different characteristics of each vehicle, there’s no specific formula for the conversion of engine displacement to mph.

However, when you compare vehicles with different engines within a given category you can see a noticeable relationship between engine CC and speed.

To show some examples, we’ve paired the CC and top speed figures of some of the most popular powersport vehicles:

ATVs:

• 250cc = 35-45 mph
• 500cc = 50-60 mph
• 600cc = 60-65 mph
• 700cc = 70-75 mph

Motorcycles:

• 50cc = 35-50 mph
• 125cc = 65-70 mph
• 200cc = 65-90 mph
• 350cc = 100-120 mph
• 500cc= 90-130 mph
• 600cc = 90-165 mph
• 1000cc = 100-170 mph

As one may expect, the larger the displacement (bigger cc number) the higher the top speed.

But is this correlation always (almost) linear within each vehicle category? And how do different vehicle categories relate to one another?

Let’s drill into the details and discuss these questions in detail!

How Fast is 1 CC in Mph?

“How fast is one CC in MPH?”

This question seems absurd at first glance since internal combustion engines are used in many different types of vehicles and vessels.

But we at PowerSportsGuide have conducted comprehensive research and compiled the mph/cc ratios of many different vehicles under one roof.

Based on our research, 1 cc translates to about 0.01-1 mph if we talk about average vehicles, vessels, and small airplanes.

To be more precise, 1 cc equals 0.03-0.07 mph for vessels like jet skis and sport boats, 0.05-0.1 mph for cars, UTVs, and ATVs, 0.1-0.3 mph for most heavy and middle-weight motorcycles, and 0.3-1 mph for lightweight motorcycles.

For your convenience we’ve listed some the “cc to mph conversion rates” for some common vehicle and vessel categories:

• Riding movers: 100cc = ca. 1 mph (0.01 mph/cc)
• Sport boats and jet skis: 100cc = 3-7 mph (0.03-0.07 mph/cc)
• UTVs: 100cc = 7-9 mph (0.07-0.09 mph/cc)
• Average cars: 100cc= 5-10 mph (0.05-0.1 mph/cc)
• ATVs: 100cc= 10-12 mph (0.1-0.12 mph/cc)
• Snowmobiles: 100cc = 10-18 mph (0.1-0.18 mph/cc)
• Large motorcycles: 100cc = 10-30 mph (0.1-0.3 mph/cc)
• F1 cars: 100cc= 14-16 mph (0.14-0.16 mph/cc)
• Go-karts: 100cc = 20-30 mph (0.2-0.3 mph/cc)
• Small motorcycles: 30-100 mph (0.1-1 mph/cc)

Are you wondering where these numbers come from?

Let’s see some examples!

It’s no surprise that the slowest vehicles are utility machines like riding lawnmowers.

Since they are not designed for drag racing, their 500-600cc engines provide a moderate top speed of 4-6 mph. Dividing these numbers results in an mph/cc ratio of 0.01; in other words, a riding lawnmower produces about 1 mph for every 100cc of displacement.

Jet skis and sport boats seem to go very fast on water, but they are much slower than on-land wheeled powersport vehicles due to the high resistance of the water.

For example, a 900cc jet ski can reach 42-50 mph, which results in a mph/cc ratio of 0.05-0.06 (100cc = 5-6 mph).

Interestingly, you can’t expect much higher figures from a high-performance jet ski engine, as these 1500-1800cc power mills can produce a top speed of 60-70 mph (100cc = 4 mph).

(However, it has to be mentioned that the top speed of certain high-performance jet skis is electronically restricted.)

ATVs and UTVs are not known for going at extreme speeds as they are designed for maximum torque. The engine on these types of vehicles typically offers 7-12 mph for every 100cc, translating to an mph/cc ratio of 0.07-0.12.

You can expect to get 10-18 mph per 100cc on a 600-1000cc snowmobile, and surprisingly 1600cc F1 cars don’t exceed a range of 14-16 mph/100cc either.

Based on our research, one of the most exciting categories is motorcycles.

Thanks to their extremely powerful engines, 600cc and 1000cc motorcycles can reach amazing top speeds of 90-170 mph.

But their large displacements lead to a lower, 0.15-0.3 mph/cc ratio (100cc =15-30 mph), within the entire motorcycle category.

In contrast, 300cc-350cc motorcycles give you 30-40 mph for every 100cc, while a 125cc-200cc category vehicle produces 30-60 mph per 100cc.

The best mph/cc ratios are claimed by 50cc motorcycles and scooters. These machines can reach a top speed of 30-50 mph with their tiny engines, which results in an outstanding mph/cc ratio of 0.6-1!

Although they cannot achieve such speeds, if we do the math, this would translat to a theoretical value of 60-100 mph per 100cc!

CC to MPH Conversion Chart

Let’s compare some vehicle categories by their mph/cc ratios in one chart!

Disclaimer: Please consider this list a collection of some hard numbers, posted only for information purposes. If you do your research, you will likely find some machines with better or poorer mph/cc figures. But it’s safe to say that most stock vehicles fall into these ranges.

Conclusion

Let’s face it; there’s no magic formula to directly convert engine cc to mph, as the speed of a machine depends on countless factors like its type, design, and engine features.

For example, a 500cc riding lawnmower can only go 4-6 mph, while the same displacement engine can propel a GP motorcycle to 220-250 mph.

A 1600cc farm tractor tops out at 20-25 mph, while an F1 car with its advanced 1600cc engine can go as fast as 220-250 mph.

But even if there’s no strict correlation between cc and mph figures, we can calculate a “conversion number” for many different vehicle categories.

For example, 1 cc equals 0.03-0.07 mph for small sport boats and jet skis (100cc = 3-7 mph), 0.05-0.1 mph for the average car (100cc = 5-10 mph), and 0.1-0.3 for most motorcycles with 300-1000cc enignes (100 cc = 10-30 mph).

Interestingly, the best mpg/cc ratios are offered in 50cc motorcycles; these machines can translate 1 cc into 0.6-1 mph!

(Please consider these figures as hard numbers, which can be applied to many stock vehicles and vessels.)