A knot is one nautical mile per hour.
Knots to Mile per Seconds Converter — kn to mi/s
Convert Knots (kn) to Mile per Seconds (mi/s) using the exact conversion factor (1 knots = 0.000319661 mile per seconds). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Knots to Mile per Seconds converter
Converter
Speed Converter
Convert road, aviation, marine, lab, and scientific speed units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Distance divided by time.
Result = input x 0.5144444444 / 1609.344.
Speed uses meters per second as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Knots to Mile per Seconds
Knots and Mile per Seconds both describe speed, and the conversion matters whenever a maritime or aviation speed (knots) needs to be compared against a road speed (mph). Knots is most often used for ship and boat speed in marine navigation.
Formula
mile per seconds = knots × 0.000319660957784
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 knots equals 0.514444444444 base units, and 1 mile per seconds equals 1609.344 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct knots-to-mile per seconds factor of 0.000319660957784.
Simple example
1 kn × 0.0003196609578 = 0.000319661 mi/s
1 knots = 0.000319661 mile per seconds.
Real-world example
10 kn × 0.0003196609578 = 0.0031966096 mi/s
10 knots = 0.0031966096 mile per seconds.
Conversion table
| Knots (kn) | Mile per Seconds (mi/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 0.000319661 mi/s |
| 5 kn | 0.0015983048 mi/s |
| 10 kn | 0.0031966096 mi/s |
| 25 kn | 0.0079915239 mi/s |
| 50 kn | 0.0159830479 mi/s |
| 100 kn | 0.0319660958 mi/s |
Reverse conversion: Mile per Seconds to Knots
0.000319661 mi/s × 3128.314471 = 1.000000132 kn
0.000319661 mile per seconds = 1.000000132 knots.
knots = mile per seconds × 3128.31447084
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Mile per Seconds to Knots.
Understanding the Knots
Knots (kn) measures speed. A knot is one nautical mile per hour; since the nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters, a knot is exactly 1,852/3,600 m/s. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (maritime/aviation).
Where it's used: Used internationally in maritime navigation and aviation
Uses of the Knots today
- Ship and boat speed in marine navigation
- Aircraft airspeed and wind speed reporting in aviation
- Marine weather forecasts (wind speed)
History of the Knots
The knot gets its name from an old nautical method of measuring speed: sailors trailed a 'log line' with evenly spaced knots behind a ship and counted how many knots paid out over a fixed time, giving a direct speed reading in 'knots.'
The nautical mile it's based on was itself standardized internationally in 1929 (the International Nautical Mile, 1,852 m exactly), tying the knot to a precise value still used in shipping and aviation today.
Historical origin. Knots was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Mile per Seconds (mi/s)
Distance divided by time.
Knots — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Lists the knot among accepted non-SI speed units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many mile per seconds are in 1 knots?
1 knots equals 0.000319661 mile per seconds, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert knots to mile per seconds?
Multiply the knots value by 0.0003196609578. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert mile per seconds back to knots?
Use the reverse factor: 1 mile per seconds equals 3,128.314471 knots. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a knots?
Knots (kn) measures speed. A knot is one nautical mile per hour; since the nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters, a knot is exactly 1,852/3,600 m/s. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (maritime/aviation).
What is a mile per seconds?
Mile per Seconds (mi/s) is a unit of speed.
Is the knots to mile per seconds conversion exact?
Yes. A knot is one nautical mile per hour; since the nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters, a knot is exactly 1,852/3,600 m/s. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the knots still used today?
Used internationally in maritime navigation and aviation