# Thunder & Lightning

> Measures distance to sound sources using visual and auditory event timing. (iPhone/iPad app by Bryan Figler.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunder-and-lightning/id287959052 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bryan Figler](https://appshunter.io/developer/287217534)
- Category: Utilities, Weather
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 55 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-02-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunder-and-lightning/id287959052/reviews.md

## What is Thunder & Lightning?

Thunder & Lightning has (barely) one practical purpose:  to measure your distance to a sound source.  It works for thunder and lightning, fireworks, rocket launches, or other loud events visible from a (hopefully safe) distance away.  Just press the Lightning button when you see the event, and Thunder when you hear it.  Modern technology does the rest.

To perform this trivial task even more accurately, you can enter the temperature of your surroundings to more precisely calculate the speed of sound.  You can also choose between U.S./Imperial and metric measurements depending on your personal unit preferences.

Should its intended purpose be insufficiently useful, this application can also be used as a reasonably precise (if redundant) stopwatch, a speed-of-sound calculator,  a Fahrenheit/Celsius converter, or as an odometer if you happen to be traveling at precisely the speed of sound.

Note:  Use of application while operating supersonic aircraft is not recommended or approved.

## Key features

- Distance measurement to sound events
- Temperature adjustment for accuracy
- U.S./Imperial and metric units
- Stopwatch functionality
- Speed-of-sound calculator
- Fahrenheit/Celsius converter

## Recent user reviews (10 of 55)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunder-and-lightning/id287959052/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Useful

*2017-05-27, version 2.0*

However, in the U.K. we use miles per hour but tend to use centigrade for temperature   - would be better to have both options!!

### 4/5 — Neat little tool

*2016-09-21*

Thanks for the update!

### 5/5 — Exceptional

*2016-08-15*

This single-task app does its work exceptionally well!

### 5/5 — A Slick Little App

*2016-08-15*

Although the creators of this app call it trivial, I think it's a pretty cool little program. This would be very good for small kids who find themselves afraid of lightning. You could show them how to use the controls and soon they'd forget about being scared. This could make them feel safer at night.

The app was down for quite some time. I do like the improvements. It was basic in that primitive state, but now the improvements make it look more like a professional app. Thanks for bringing it back!

### 3/5 — App crash

*2016-06-26*

App does't work anymore..

### 4/5 — Nice, clean, functional App!

*2014-03-01*

This does what it says. Can't beat the price. One reviewer, that gave a 1 star rating, suggested a slew of feature requests. The requests were cool but also required a lot more work and had potential problems related to the automated features.
I like this App because it is simple and to the point.

### 2/5 — good app but

*2013-10-13, version 0*

please update for ios 7

### 5/5 — Hihi

*2012-12-11, version 0*

Voll unützlich aber süß :) kann mir diese Umrechnung immer nicht merken, aber mit dieser App ist das egal :)

### 5/5 — Very good!

*2012-05-30, version 0*

I really like it. I found out that 4 seconds is about 1 mile!

### 5/5 — great

*2011-09-08*

Free, does exactly as it says, and no ads. 

The help documentation wryly notes that you can use this as an odometer "if you happen to be traveling at precisely the speed of sound".

## Frequently asked questions about Thunder & Lightning

### What does the Thunder & Lightning app do?

This app's primary function is to measure the distance to a sound source. It achieves this by having you press a button when you see an event (like lightning) and another when you hear it (like thunder). The app then calculates the distance based on the time difference.

### How accurate is the distance measurement?

The accuracy can be improved by entering the ambient temperature, which allows for a more precise calculation of the speed of sound. The app also supports both U.S./Imperial and metric units for your preference.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is completely free to use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, making it a straightforward utility.

### What other features does the app offer?

Beyond its main purpose, the app can function as a precise stopwatch, a calculator for the speed of sound, a converter between Fahrenheit and Celsius, and even as an odometer under specific conditions.

### Who would find this app useful?

This app is useful for anyone who wants to estimate the distance to loud events such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or rocket launches. It also serves as a handy multi-tool for those who appreciate precise measurements and conversions.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 2.0 — 2019-02-12

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

*  Eight years was a nice run for T&L 1.0, but 2.0 is finally here to make the app a bit more up to date.
*  It still only does one thing, but now it does it with less of a retro feel.
*  You will need iOS 8.4 or later for this one, though.
*  Please be kind and give the new version some stars to welcome it into 2016!

### 1.0 — 2008-08-15

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Thunder & Lightning

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Scannery](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scannery/id6499159221) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Nyzra: AI Scam Detector](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyzra-ai-scam-detector/id6760814881) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Connect with Calabasas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connect-with-calabasas/id787259247) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Utilities |
| [Baduk Timer - AI Auto Score](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/baduk-timer-ai-auto-score/id6759492649) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [TNM trackit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tnm-trackit/id6479312172) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Cloud Identifier - AI Scan](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloud-identifier-ai-scan/id6757947952) | — | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Bryan Figler

- [FAAwait](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/faawait/id287217531)
- [TopFeeder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topfeeder/id1141753089)

All apps by Bryan Figler: https://appshunter.io/developer/287217534

## Related topics

[lightning distance calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lightning-distance-calculator) · [hydro thunder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hydro-thunder) · [okc thunder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/okc-thunder) · [background noise thunder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/background-noise-thunder)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*