Mile to Nautical Mile Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert miles to nautical miles with our free online length converter.
Mile to Nautical Mile Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Mile).
- The converted value in Nautical Mile will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Mile to Nautical Mile
Converting Mile to Nautical Mile involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Mile = 0.868976 nautical milesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 miles: 10 × 0.868976 = 8.689762 nautical miles
Note: Conversion factors can sometimes be rounded for display purposes. For precise calculations, always use the full factor or rely on the calculator above.
What is a Mile and a Nautical Mile?
The mile, specifically the international statute mile, is a unit of length in the British imperial and United States customary systems. It is defined as exactly 5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, or approximately 1.609344 kilometers.
A nautical mile is a unit of length used in marine and air navigation. It is defined as exactly 1,852 meters.
Note: The Mile is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Nautical Mile belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Mile and Nautical Mile
The mile originated from the Roman "mille passus", meaning "thousand paces" (where a pace was two steps). Its length varied considerably until Queen Elizabeth I of England standardized it as 5,280 feet in 1593. The international mile agreement of 1959 confirmed its definition based on the metric system.
The nautical mile originated from the length of one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian. It was standardized internationally in 1929.
Common Uses for miles and nautical miles
Explore the typical applications for both Mile (imperial/US) and Nautical Mile (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for miles
- Geography & Travel (US/UK): Measuring geographic distances and road lengths in the US, UK, and some other countries.
- Transportation (US/UK): Road speed limits (miles per hour, mph) in the US and UK.
- Maritime & Aviation: Nautical and aviation use a related unit, the nautical mile (approx. 1.852 km).
- Athletics: Running events (e.g., the mile run).
Common Uses for nautical miles
- Marine navigation
- Air navigation
- Charting distances over water or air
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Mile (mi)
How many feet are in a mile?
There are exactly 5,280 feet (ft) in 1 mile (mi).
How many yards are in a mile?
There are exactly 1,760 yards (yd) in 1 mile (mi).
Is a mile longer or shorter than a kilometer?
A mile (approx. 1.609 km) is longer than a kilometer (1 km).
About Nautical Mile (NM)
Why is a nautical mile different from a statute mile?
A statute mile (used on land, 1609.344 meters) is based on historical measurements. A nautical mile (1852 meters) is derived from the Earth's circumference (1 minute of latitude) and simplifies navigation calculations.
How many feet are in a nautical mile?
One nautical mile is approximately 6076.115 feet.
What is a knot in relation to a nautical mile?
A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. It's commonly used in maritime and aviation contexts.
Conversion Table: Mile to Nautical Mile
| Mile (mi) | Nautical Mile (NM) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.869 |
| 5 | 4.345 |
| 10 | 8.69 |
| 25 | 21.724 |
| 50 | 43.449 |
| 100 | 86.898 |
| 500 | 434.488 |
| 1,000 | 868.976 |