Kilometer per hour to Knot Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert kilometers per hour to knots with our free online speed converter.
Kilometer per hour to Knot Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilometer per hour).
- The converted value in Knot will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Speed category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Kilometer per hour to Knot
Converting Kilometer per hour to Knot involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Kilometer per hour = 0.539957 knotsExample Calculation:
Convert 60 kilometers per hour: 60 × 0.539957 = 32.39741 knots
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Kilometer per hour and a Knot?
Kilometers per hour (km/h or kph) is a unit of speed expressing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour.
The knot (kn) is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, which is exactly 1.852 km/h (approximately 1.15078 mph or 0.514 m/s).
Note: The Kilometer per hour is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Knot belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Kilometer per hour and Knot
Kilometers per hour became a common unit of speed with the widespread adoption of the metric system for distance (kilometer) and the standard use of hours for time measurement, particularly following the advent of automobiles and trains where measuring such speeds became practical and necessary.
The term knot originates from the 17th century practice of measuring ship speed using a "chip log". This device consisted of a rope with knots tied at uniform intervals (47 feet 3 inches or 14.4018 m), attached to a piece of wood shaped like a sector of a circle. The log was thrown overboard, and sailors counted the number of knots that passed through their hands in a specific time (usually measured by a 28-second sandglass). The number of knots counted in that time directly corresponded to the ship's speed in nautical miles per hour.
Common Uses for kilometers per hour and knots
Explore the typical applications for both Kilometer per hour (metric) and Knot (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for kilometers per hour
- Road Traffic: The most common unit for speed limits and vehicle speeds (speedometers) worldwide, except in countries like the US and UK.
- Meteorology: Often used in public weather forecasts to report wind speeds, especially in metric countries.
- Navigation: Used alongside other units like knots in some aviation and maritime contexts, although less common than knots for primary navigation.
- Sports: Sometimes used to describe speeds in cycling, skiing, or running over longer distances.
Common Uses for knots
- Maritime Navigation: The primary unit for measuring vessel speed in maritime contexts worldwide.
- Aviation: Standard unit for indicating airspeed for aircraft globally.
- Meteorology: Commonly used to report wind speeds, especially in forecasts for marine and aviation purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Kilometer per hour (km/h)
Where is km/h primarily used?
Kilometers per hour is the standard unit for road speed in most countries around the world that use the metric system.
Is km/h an SI unit?
While it uses SI units (kilometer and hour derived from second), the official SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s). However, km/h is accepted for use with SI.
How do you convert km/h to mph?
To approximate, divide the speed in km/h by 1.609. So, 100 km/h is roughly 62 mph. (1 km/h ≈ 0.621371 mph).
How do you convert km/h to m/s?
Divide the speed in km/h by 3.6. So, 100 km/h is approximately 27.78 m/s.
About Knot (kn)
What is a knot based on?
A knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is based on the Earth's circumference (one minute of latitude).
Is the knot an SI unit?
No, the knot is not an SI unit, but it is accepted for use with the SI, especially in navigation.
Why are knots used instead of mph or km/h in navigation?
Knots are convenient because one knot is one nautical mile per hour, and a nautical mile directly relates to the lines of latitude and longitude on navigational charts (one nautical mile is approximately one minute of latitude).
How do you convert knots to mph?
Multiply the speed in knots by approximately 1.151. So, 20 knots is about 23 mph.
How do you convert knots to km/h?
Multiply the speed in knots by 1.852. So, 20 knots is exactly 37.04 km/h.
Conversion Table: Kilometer per hour to Knot
| Kilometer per hour (km/h) | Knot (kn) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.54 |
| 5 | 2.7 |
| 10 | 5.4 |
| 25 | 13.499 |
| 50 | 26.998 |
| 100 | 53.996 |
| 500 | 269.978 |
| 1,000 | 539.957 |
All Speed Conversions
Conversion Formula
1 km/h = 0.539957 kn
Where 1 Kilometer per hour (km/h) equals the calculated value in knots (kn).