How Fast Is Free-Fall Elevator?

An elevator in free-fall hits 9.8 m/s after just 1 second — and keeps accelerating. The myth that jumping at the moment of impact saves you is exactly that — a myth. The forces involved are the same whether you jump or not.

Modern elevators have multiple redundant safety brakes — Elisha Otis's 1853 invention of the safety brake is what made tall buildings possible at all.

• 9.8 m/s after just 1 second
• Jumping at the bottom saves nothing