A knot is one nautical mile per hour.
Knots to Nautical mile per Hours Converter — kn to nmi/h
Convert Knots (kn) to Nautical mile per Hours (nmi/h) using the exact conversion factor (1 knots = 1 nautical mile per hours). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Knots to Nautical mile per Hours 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 / 0.5144444444.
Speed uses meters per second as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Knots to Nautical mile per Hours
Knots and Nautical mile per Hours 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
nautical mile per hours = knots × 1
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 knots equals 0.514444444444 base units, and 1 nautical mile per hours equals 0.514444444444 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct knots-to-nautical mile per hours factor of 1.
Simple example
1 kn × 1 = 1 nmi/h
1 knots = 1 nautical mile per hours.
Real-world example
10 kn × 1 = 10 nmi/h
10 knots = 10 nautical mile per hours.
Conversion table
| Knots (kn) | Nautical mile per Hours (nmi/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 1 nmi/h |
| 5 kn | 5 nmi/h |
| 10 kn | 10 nmi/h |
| 25 kn | 25 nmi/h |
| 50 kn | 50 nmi/h |
| 100 kn | 100 nmi/h |
Reverse conversion: Nautical mile per Hours to Knots
1 nmi/h × 1 = 1 kn
1 nautical mile per hours = 1 knots.
knots = nautical mile per hours × 1
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Nautical mile per Hours 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 Nautical mile per Hours (nmi/h)
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 nautical mile per hours are in 1 knots?
1 knots equals 1 nautical mile per hours, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert knots to nautical mile per hours?
Multiply the knots value by 1. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert nautical mile per hours back to knots?
Use the reverse factor: 1 nautical mile per hours equals 1 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 nautical mile per hours?
Nautical mile per Hours (nmi/h) is a unit of speed.
Is the knots to nautical mile per hours 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