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Knot (kn)

Also called: kn, kt, knots

Definition: A knot is a speed of one nautical mile per hour, which is exactly 1.852 km/h and about 0.5144 meters per second or 1.1508 mph.

Updated November 3, 2026 · How we check facts

The knot measures speed in aviation, sailing and weather reports. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. NIST lists it as 0.5144444 meters per second; since a nautical mile is 1,852 m, one knot is 1,852 ÷ 3,600 = 0.514444 m/s or 1.852 km/h. Speed is already "per hour", so the phrase "knots per hour" is incorrect.

Formula

mph = knots × 1.150779
km/h = knots × 1.852
m/s = knots × 0.514444

Example

A 20-knot wind is 20 × 1.150779 = 23.02 mph, 37.04 km/h and 10.29 m/s. A boat at 6 knots covers 6 nautical miles in an hour, or 11.11 km. See knots to mph and mph to knots.

Calculate it

Free toolPace CalculatorRunning pace, time and distance, in miles or km.

Related terms

Nautical Mile (nmi)The international nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters, about 1.1508 statute miles, and is used in aviation and at sea; one knot is one nautical mile per hour.Mile (mi)The statute mile is a unit of length equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards; NIST lists it as exactly 1,609.344 meters.Meter (m)The meter is the SI base unit of length; exactly 100 centimeters, about 3.2808 feet, 39.37 inches or 1.0936 yards; the international foot is defined from it.Acre (ac)The acre is a US customary unit of area equal to exactly 43,560 square feet, 4,840 square yards or 160 square rods; NIST gives it as 4,046.8564224 square meters.BarThe bar is a metric unit of pressure defined as exactly 100,000 pascals (100 kPa), a little less than standard atmospheric pressure; one bar is 14.50377 psi.Centimeter (cm)The centimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter (0.01 m); exactly 2.54 centimeters make one inch.Cubic Foot (ft³)The cubic foot is a volume unit equal to a cube 1 foot on each side: 1,728 cubic inches, 0.02831685 cubic meters, about 28.317 liters or 7.48 US gallons.Cubic Meter (m³)The cubic meter is the SI unit of volume: a cube 1 meter on each side, equal to 1,000 liters, 1,000,000 cubic centimeters, 35.315 cubic feet or 1.308 cubic yards.

Sources

  1. NIST Guide to the SI (SP 811), Appendix B.8 — Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically