The following is a list of speed records for various categories of vehicles. In any category, as with many world records, there may be some dispute over the criteria for a record-setting event, the authority of the organization certifying the record, and the actual speed achieved. Note significant figures: unless otherwise indicated, trailing zeros to the left of a decimal point are not significant.
Contents
By type of vehicle
1.^ Average over two subsequent runs in opposite directions over a 1 mile (1.6 km) course, with flying start 2.^ Average over 1 kilometre (0.62 mi), with a flying start 3.^ Average over two subsequent runs in opposite directions over a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) course, with flying start 4.^ Average over three seconds 5.^ Unpaced on a level surface; average over 200 metres (660 ft), with flying start (For other cycling records, see cycling records) 6.^ For vehicles powered entirely by solar power, without batteriesAircraft
Aircraft speed records are based on airspeed, rather than ground speed.
7.^ Mach number depends on ambient temperature, and thus altitude, as well as speed; it is not a direct measure of speed. 8.^ Unofficial helicopter speed records by the Sikorsky X2 (460 km/h on 15 September 2010) and the Eurocopter X3 (472 km/h on 7 June 2013) would surpass this record if accepted. 9.^ Average speed over an out-and-return course of 500 km 10.^ Over a 3-kilometer courseWatercraft
11.^ Measured over 1 km with a flying start 12.^ Ground effect vehicles (a.k.a. "Wing-In-Ground effect vehicles") are classified as maritime ships, rather than aircraft, by the International Maritime Organization.Spacecraft
In order to unambiguously express the speed of a spacecraft, a frame of reference must be specified. Typically, this frame will be fixed to the celestial body with the largest gravitational influence on the spacecraft, as this is the most relevant frame for most purposes. Velocities in different frames of reference are not directly comparable; the matter of the "fastest spacecraft" depends on the reference frame. Because of the influence of gravity, maximum velocities are usually attained just after launch, at entry, or at time of closest approach to a massive body.