How Fast a Cockroach Runs

If you’ve ever wondered how fast a cockroach runs, you might have been surprised to learn that they can sprint almost as fast as a human. Cockroaches have an aerodynamic body and can cover up to 50 body lengths in one second, which is roughly 200 mph! Their legs, with six joints and three knees, allow them to move quickly and maneuver through their environment with little waste. They can also sprint upside-down and can move through the air at high speeds.

In the lab, cockroaches have been known to run up to three miles per second, which makes them one of the fastest insects. However, unlike horses, which use all six legs at the same time, cockroaches use pairs of legs to run. This makes them extremely sensitive to slight movements in the air, which means they could reach speeds of 200 mph or more.

Cockroaches differ in size and biology, making it difficult to determine their top speeds. Researchers tested cockroaches to determine their start speed, or how long it takes them to start moving from a standstill. Cockroaches have a start speed of 8.2 milliseconds, which means that they can cover fifty body lengths in less than one second.

Cockroaches, or Australian tiger beetles, are among the fastest creatures on earth. Two species of tiger beetles, or Cicindela, run at speeds of up to 5.6 miles per hour.