Kilometer per hour to Knot Converter
Convert kilometers per hour to knots with our free online speed converter.
Quick Answer
1 Kilometer per hour = 0.539957 knots
Formula: Kilometer per hour × conversion factor = Knot
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Kilometer per hour to Knot Calculator
How to Use the Kilometer per hour to Knot 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: Step-by-Step Guide
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.
Need to convert to other speed units?
View all Speed conversions →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.
Mathematical definition:
- 1 km/h = 1 kilometer ÷ 1 hour
- 1 km/h = 1,000 meters ÷ 3,600 seconds
- 1 km/h = 0.277777... meters per second (exactly 5/18 m/s)
Exact conversions:
- 1 km/h = 0.621371192 miles per hour (mph)
- 1 mph = 1.609344 km/h (exact, by international agreement)
- 1 km/h = 0.539956803 knots
- 1 km/h = 0.911344415 feet per second
km/h vs. kph: Which is Correct?
Both symbols are used, but km/h is officially preferred:
km/h (preferred):
- Official ISO 80000 standard notation
- Recommended by International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)
- Used in scientific literature, official road signs in most countries
- Visually clearer: explicitly shows "kilometers" and "hour"
kph (informal):
- Common in casual conversation and older signage
- Shorter and quicker to type
- Still widely understood globally
- Used by some speedometer manufacturers
In practice: Road signs in most countries use "km/h," but people often say "kph" when speaking. Both are universally understood, and you'll never cause confusion using either.
The Mathematical Definition
1 Knot = 1 Nautical Mile per Hour
In SI Units: $$ 1 \text{ knot} = 1.852 \frac{\text{km}}{\text{h}} = 0.514444 \frac{\text{m}}{\text{s}} $$
In Imperial Units: $$ 1 \text{ knot} = 1.15078 \frac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}} = 1.68781 \frac{\text{feet}}{\text{second}} $$
Why the Nautical Mile?
The nautical mile is not arbitrary—it's based on the Earth's geometry.
Definition: One nautical mile = one minute of latitude along a meridian.
The Math:
- Earth's circumference ≈ 40,075 km (at equator).
- 360 degrees × 60 minutes/degree = 21,600 minutes around the Earth.
- 40,075 km ÷ 21,600 = 1.855 km per minute of latitude.
- Standardized to exactly 1.852 km (1,852 meters).
Why This Matters: If you're at 40°N latitude and sail due north at 60 knots for 1 hour, you'll be at 41°N latitude. The math is perfect for navigation.
Knot vs. Statute Mile
| Unit | Length | Use | |------|--------|-----| | Nautical Mile | 6,076 feet (1,852 m) | Maritime, aviation navigation | | Statute Mile | 5,280 feet (1,609 m) | Land travel (cars, roads) | | Difference | 796 feet longer | Nautical mile is 15% longer |
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 Railway Origins (1840s-1860s)
European railways drive initial adoption:
The kilometer per hour emerged naturally from European railway expansion in the mid-1800s:
1840s France: The French railway network, expanding rapidly after the opening of the Paris-Rouen line in 1843, used km/h for all timetable planning. Railway engineers found that:
- Distance calculations were straightforward: 100 km at 50 km/h = 2 hours
- Hourly speeds aligned perfectly with clock-based scheduling
- Metric integration simplified track maintenance and construction measurements
1850s-1860s Central Europe: Germany, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, and Italy adopted km/h as their railway systems developed, creating a cohesive Central European railway network with standardized speed measurements.
Why not meters per second? While m/s is the SI base unit, railway engineers found it impractical:
- 27.8 m/s is harder to visualize than 100 km/h
- Hourly distances matched operational planning horizons
- Passengers understood "kilometers per hour" intuitively
The Automobile Revolution (1900s-1920s)
Cars cement km/h as the dominant standard:
1900-1910: European automobile manufacturers (Peugeot, Renault, Daimler, Benz) designed speedometers calibrated exclusively in km/h. By 1910, virtually all cars sold in continental Europe displayed km/h.
Contrasting British approach: British and American manufacturers used mph, creating a lasting divide that persists today.
1920s standardization: As road construction accelerated, European governments posted speed limits in km/h:
- France: 30 km/h in cities (1922)
- Germany: Various limits by region (Autobahn sections later unrestricted)
- Switzerland: 40 km/h urban limit (1925)
Global Metrication Wave (1960s-1980s)
The world switches from mph to km/h:
1951: Japan became the first major non-European nation to adopt km/h comprehensively for all road transport.
1974: Australia converted from mph to km/h on July 1, 1974 (metric changeover day). All speed limit signs were changed overnight, and speedometers were replaced or modified over the following years.
1977: Canada completed metrication, switching road signs from mph to km/h. The conversion created temporary confusion near the US border, where speeds suddenly appeared numerically higher (60 mph became 100 km/h).
1977: India switched to km/h as part of broader metrication efforts.
1980s: Most remaining countries completed conversion to km/h, with notable exceptions:
- United States: Retained mph despite brief 1970s metric push
- United Kingdom: Officially retained mph for roads, though rail increasingly uses km/h
- Myanmar (Burma): Uses mph but is considering metrication
Modern Global Standard (2000s-Present)
Today's landscape:
195+ countries use km/h as their legal road speed standard, representing approximately 95% of the global population.
Only 3 mph holdouts:
- United States (population: 330+ million)
- United Kingdom (population: 67+ million)
- Myanmar (population: 54+ million)
Notable exception—UK railways: British rail networks increasingly use km/h for high-speed lines (HS1 Channel Tunnel Rail Link operates in km/h), though track mile markers remain.
: From Rope Knots to GPS
Ancient Navigation (Before 1500s)
Before the knot, sailors had no reliable way to measure speed. They used:
- Dead Reckoning: Estimating speed by watching foam, debris, or seaweed pass the ship.
- Guesswork: Experienced sailors "felt" the speed.
This led to massive navigation errors. Ships would miss islands, run aground, or get hopelessly lost.
The Chip Log Invention (1600s)
The chip log (or common log) revolutionized navigation.
Components:
- The Chip: A triangular wooden board weighted to float upright.
- The Log Line: A rope with knots tied at intervals of 47 feet 3 inches (14.4 meters).
- The Sandglass: A 28-second or 30-second timer.
The Process:
- Sailor throws the chip overboard from the stern.
- The chip stays relatively stationary in the water (drag keeps it in place).
- As the ship sails away, the log line unspools.
- Another sailor flips the sandglass.
- A third sailor counts the knots passing through his hands.
- When the sand runs out, they note the count: "7 knots!"
The Math: The knot spacing (47 ft 3 in) and timing (28-30 sec) were calibrated so that:
- 1 knot on the line = 1 nautical mile per hour of ship speed.
Example:
- If 7 knots passed in 30 seconds, the ship was traveling at 7 knots (7 nautical miles per hour).
Why "47 Feet 3 Inches"?
This seems random, but it's brilliant math:
- 1 nautical mile = 6,076 feet.
- 1 hour = 3,600 seconds.
- 30 seconds = 1/120 of an hour.
- 6,076 ÷ 120 = 50.63 feet.
Early sailors used 47 feet 3 inches (close enough) because it was easier to measure with the tools available.
Modern Standardization (1929)
The International Hydrographic Bureau standardized the nautical mile to exactly 1,852 meters in 1929. This fixed the knot at exactly 1.852 km/h.
Today:
- Ships use GPS and electronic speed logs.
- The chip log is obsolete, but the term "knot" remains universal.
Common Uses and Applications: kilometers per hour vs 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 Worldwide
The most common unit for speed limits and vehicle speeds (speedometers) worldwide, except in countries like the US and UK.
Global speedometer standard:
- 195+ countries require speedometers calibrated in km/h
- Dual displays common in mph-primary countries (UK cars show both mph and km/h)
- Import vehicles often need speedometer conversion or overlay decals
Speed enforcement:
- Fixed speed cameras display limits in km/h globally
- Radar guns used by police calibrated in km/h in metric countries
- GPS navigation systems default to km/h in most regions (user-changeable)
Driver education:
- Driving schools in km/h countries teach speed estimation in km/h
- Stopping distances calculated using km/h (e.g., "at 100 km/h, stopping distance is approximately 100 meters on dry pavement")
Meteorology and Weather Reports
Often used in public weather forecasts to report wind speeds, especially in metric countries.
Daily weather forecasts:
- TV and radio: "Winds gusting up to 60 km/h expected this afternoon"
- Weather apps: Display wind speed in km/h by default in most countries
- Weather warnings: "Wind advisory in effect for sustained winds of 50-70 km/h"
Severe weather:
- Tropical cyclone tracking: "System intensifying to 180 km/h sustained winds"
- Tornado warnings: While some regions use mph, many use km/h for consistency
- Storm surge modeling: Wind speeds in km/h used for prediction models
Aviation weather (METAR reports):
- Actually use knots (nautical miles per hour) as the international standard, but public-facing forecasts convert to km/h for general audiences
Navigation and Maritime Use
Used alongside other units like knots in some aviation and maritime contexts, although less common than knots for primary navigation.
Maritime context:
- Recreational boating: Many countries display boat speeds in km/h on consumer GPS units
- Ship traffic services: Professional shipping uses knots, but coastal authorities may communicate speeds to recreational vessels in km/h
- Current speeds: Ocean and river current speeds sometimes expressed in km/h for public understanding
Aviation (limited use):
- General aviation: Some small aircraft in Europe display airspeed in km/h
- Groundspeed: GPS navigation sometimes shows groundspeed in km/h for pilots' situational awareness
- Professional aviation: Knots remain the global standard for airspeed and navigation
Sports and Athletics
Sometimes used to describe speeds in cycling, skiing, or running over longer distances.
Cycling:
- Professional race coverage: "The peloton is maintaining 45 km/h on the flat sections"
- Bike computers: Display current speed, average speed, and maximum speed in km/h
- Training metrics: Cyclists track average speeds to gauge fitness improvements
Running:
- Treadmill displays: Often show speed in km/h (especially in metric countries)
- GPS running watches: Can display pace as min/km or speed as km/h
- Race commentary: "The lead pack is running at approximately 21 km/h pace"
Skiing and snowboarding:
- Speed skiing competitions: Measured in km/h (world record: 254.958 km/h, 2016)
- Ski resort speed checks: Display current speed in km/h at base of runs
- Avalanche speeds: "Avalanches can reach 130 km/h in steep terrain"
Other sports:
- Tennis serve speeds: Displayed in km/h globally (fastest recorded: 263 km/h by Sam Groth, 2012)
- Baseball pitch speeds: In metric countries, displayed as km/h (~150 km/h for fast pitches)
- Golf ball speed: Club head and ball speeds measured in km/h in some markets
Scientific and Engineering Applications
Used in physics education, engineering calculations, and scientific research where metric units are standard:
Physics education:
- Introductory kinematics: "A car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds—calculate acceleration"
- Energy calculations: Kinetic energy problems often use km/h, then convert to m/s for SI calculations
- Momentum problems: "Two vehicles collide—one traveling at 60 km/h, the other at 80 km/h"
Wind engineering:
- Building design: Wind load calculations use km/h for reference wind speeds
- Bridge engineering: Suspension bridges designed to withstand winds of 150+ km/h
Transportation planning:
- Traffic flow modeling: Simulations use km/h for vehicle speeds
- Capacity analysis: "This highway section can accommodate 2,000 vehicles per hour at 100 km/h"
- Emission modeling: Fuel consumption and emissions vary significantly by speed (optimal efficiency typically 80-90 km/h for modern cars)
Climate science:
- Atmospheric circulation: Jet stream speeds measured in km/h
- Hurricane research: Storm tracking and intensity analysis
Consumer Products and Specifications
Speed ratings and specifications:
Tires:
- Speed ratings: European tire speed codes (e.g., "H-rated: 210 km/h maximum")
- Winter tire testing: Performance ratings at various speeds in km/h
Electric scooters and e-bikes:
- Maximum speed limits: Regulations often specify "limited to 25 km/h" (common EU e-bike limit)
- Product specifications: "Top speed: 30 km/h" on consumer packaging
Drones:
- Maximum flight speed: "Can reach 68 km/h in Sport Mode"
- Return-to-home speed: Typically 30-50 km/h for consumer drones
Recreational vehicles:
- Golf carts: Typically 20-25 km/h maximum
- ATVs and UTVs: Specified in km/h in metric markets
When to Use knots
1. Maritime Navigation
Why Knots?
- Chart Compatibility: Nautical charts use latitude/longitude. 1 knot = 1 minute of latitude per hour.
- Mental Math: Easy to calculate distance and time.
- Universal Standard: All ships worldwide use knots.
Example:
- "We're at 40°N, heading north at 30 knots."
- "In 2 hours, we'll be at 41°N." (30 knots × 2 hours = 60 nautical miles = 1 degree).
2. Aviation Navigation
Why Pilots Use Knots:
- International Standard: All air traffic control uses knots.
- Wind Reports: "Winds 270 at 15 knots" (from west at 15 knots).
- True Airspeed vs. Ground Speed: Pilots calculate wind correction using knots.
Example:
- True Airspeed: 450 knots (speed through air).
- Headwind: 50 knots.
- Ground Speed: 400 knots (speed over ground).
3. Meteorology
Wind Speed Reporting:
- Surface Winds: Reported in knots for marine forecasts.
- Upper-Level Winds: Jet stream speeds in knots (can reach 200+ knots).
- Hurricane Intensity: Measured in knots (64+ knots = hurricane).
4. Oceanography
Ocean Currents:
- Gulf Stream: Flows at 3-5 knots (fastest ocean current).
- Tidal Currents: Can reach 5-10 knots in narrow straits.
Additional Unit Information
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—195+ countries representing approximately 95% of the global population. This includes all of Europe (except UK for roads), Asia (except Myanmar), South America, Africa, Australia, and Canada. Only the United States, United Kingdom (for road traffic), and Myanmar primarily use miles per hour (mph) instead.
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 and is the standard for practical applications like road speed limits and weather reports. Scientists typically convert km/h to m/s for calculations (1 km/h = 0.278 m/s), but km/h remains universally understood and used globally for everyday speed measurements.
How do you convert km/h to mph?
To convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour, divide by 1.609 (or multiply by 0.621371 for more precision). Quick approximation: divide by 1.6. For example:
- 100 km/h ÷ 1.6 ≈ 62.5 mph (actual: 62.14 mph)
- 80 km/h ÷ 1.6 = 50 mph
- 120 km/h ÷ 1.6 = 75 mph
For a rougher estimate, multiply km/h by 0.6: 100 km/h × 0.6 = 60 mph (close enough for casual conversation).
How do you convert km/h to m/s?
Divide the speed in km/h by 3.6 to get meters per second. Formula: m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6. For example:
- 100 km/h ÷ 3.6 = 27.78 m/s
- 90 km/h ÷ 3.6 = 25 m/s
- 36 km/h ÷ 3.6 = 10 m/s
Why 3.6? Because 1 km = 1,000 meters and 1 hour = 3,600 seconds, so 1,000 ÷ 3,600 = 1 ÷ 3.6. To convert back from m/s to km/h, multiply by 3.6.
What is a good walking speed in km/h?
A typical comfortable walking speed is 5 km/h (about 3.1 mph), which translates to covering 1 kilometer in 12 minutes. Speeds vary by activity:
- Leisurely stroll: 3-4 km/h (window shopping, elderly pace)
- Average walk: 5 km/h (standard comfortable pace)
- Brisk walk: 6-7 km/h (fitness walking, power walking)
- Speed walking (race walking): 10-15 km/h (Olympic athletes reach 13-15 km/h)
For reference, pedestrian crossing signals are typically designed assuming 4-5 km/h walking speed.
What is the typical highway speed in km/h?
Highway speed limits vary significantly by country, but 100-130 km/h (62-81 mph) is the most common range globally:
- 100 km/h: Canada, Australia, Japan (many highways)
- 110-120 km/h: Spain (120), Italy (130), France (130), Australia (110)
- 130 km/h: France, Austria, Belgium, Italy (motorways)
- 140 km/h: Poland, Bulgaria (motorway limits)
- Unlimited sections: Germany (Autobahn—advised 130 km/h, many sections unrestricted)
Most drivers maintain 100-110 km/h as a comfortable highway cruising speed.
How fast is 100 km/h?
100 km/h is a common highway speed globally, equal to:
- 62.1 mph (about the speed limit on many US interstates)
- 27.8 meters per second (traveling the length of a basketball court every second)
- 1.67 kilometers per minute (1 km every 36 seconds)
Reference points:
- 100 km/h = 100 meters traveled every 3.6 seconds
- At this speed, your reaction distance (before braking) is about 28 meters
- Total stopping distance on dry pavement: approximately 100 meters
- A commercial jet's cruising speed is about 9× faster (900 km/h)
What speed is considered fast for a car?
"Fast" depends on context, but general guidelines:
On public roads:
- 80-100 km/h: Moderate highway cruising
- 120-140 km/h: Fast highway driving (legal limits in some European countries)
- 160+ km/h: Very fast (exceeds most legal limits worldwide, except unrestricted Autobahn)
Vehicle performance:
- 200 km/h (124 mph): Sports car territory
- 250 km/h (155 mph): High-performance sports cars (often electronically limited)
- 300+ km/h (186+ mph): Supercars (Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren)
- 400+ km/h (250+ mph): Hypercars (Bugatti Chiron top speed: 490 km/h / 304 mph)
For everyday driving, anything over 140 km/h is considered "fast" in most contexts.
Do planes use km/h or mph?
Professional aviation uses knots (nautical miles per hour) as the international standard for airspeed and navigation, not km/h or mph. However, speeds are often converted to km/h or mph for public understanding:
Aviation standards:
- Airspeed, wind speed, groundspeed: Measured in knots
- Altitude: Measured in feet (even in metric countries)
- Distance: Measured in nautical miles
For reference:
- 1 knot = 1.852 km/h (exactly)
- Typical commercial jet cruise: 450-480 knots = 830-890 km/h
- Fast business jet: 500+ knots = 925+ km/h
Some small general aviation aircraft in Europe display airspeed in km/h, but this is uncommon professionally.
Why doesn't the whole world use km/h?
95% of the world does use km/h—only three countries primarily use mph: the United States, United Kingdom (roads only), and Myanmar. The reasons these countries retain mph include:
United States:
- Infrastructure cost: Replacing millions of road signs would cost billions
- Cultural resistance: Strong attachment to traditional units ("metric conversion" politically unpopular)
- Dual system: US already uses metric extensively in science, medicine, military, but not road transport
United Kingdom:
- Partial metrication: UK uses metric for most things (fuel sold in liters, food in grams) but retained mph for roads and distances
- Historical preservation: Miles deeply embedded in British culture and infrastructure
- Compromise approach: Speed limits in mph, but fuel economy measured in L/100 km creates confusion
Myanmar:
- Considering metrication: Government has discussed switching to metric system including km/h
- Limited road infrastructure: Smaller road network makes conversion more feasible
Historical note: Canada, Australia, and most former British colonies successfully converted from mph to km/h in the 1970s-1980s, proving large-scale conversion is achievable with political will.
How accurate are car speedometers in km/h?
Car speedometers are legally required to overestimate speed slightly to prevent drivers from accidentally speeding. Regulations vary by country:
European Union (UN ECE R39 regulation):
- Speedometer must never underestimate speed
- Can overestimate by up to 10% + 4 km/h
- Example: True speed 100 km/h → speedometer shows 100-114 km/h (allowed range)
Australia (ADR 18):
- Similar to EU: Never under-read, can over-read up to 10% + 4 km/h
Typical real-world accuracy:
- Most modern cars: Overestimate by 2-5% at highway speeds
- 100 km/h indicated = 95-98 km/h actual speed (common)
- GPS speedometers: Generally more accurate (±1 km/h), but can lag during acceleration
Why overestimate? Manufacturers err on the side of caution to avoid liability if speedometer under-reads and drivers get speeding tickets or cause accidents.
About Knot (kn)
Why do planes and ships use knots instead of mph?
Historical Reason:
- Early aviation borrowed from maritime tradition.
- Pilots and sailors both navigate using latitude/longitude.
Practical Reason:
- 1 knot = 1 minute of latitude per hour makes navigation calculations trivial.
- Using mph would require constant conversion (1 degree latitude ≈ 69 statute miles).
Example:
- Knots: "Flying north at 60 knots for 1 hour = 1 degree north."
- mph: "Flying north at 69 mph for 1 hour = 1 degree north." (Awkward!)
Is saying "knots per hour" correct?
No! This is a common mistake.
Wrong: "The ship is doing 20 knots per hour." Right: "The ship is doing 20 knots."
Why?
- Knot already means "nautical miles per hour."
- Saying "knots per hour" is like saying "miles per hour per hour" (which is acceleration, not speed).
How do I convert knots to mph mentally?
Quick Method: Add 15%
Steps:
- Take the knot value (e.g., 40 knots).
- Calculate 10%: 40 × 0.1 = 4.
- Calculate 5% (half of 10%): 4 ÷ 2 = 2.
- Add them: 40 + 4 + 2 = 46 mph.
- (Actual: 46.03 mph—very close!)
What is the fastest speed ever recorded in knots?
Water Speed Record:
- 276 knots (317 mph) by Spirit of Australia (1978).
- Jet-powered hydroplane.
Air Speed Record (Manned):
- 1,905 knots (2,193 mph, Mach 3.3) by SR-71 Blackbird.
Wind Speed Record:
- 253 knots (291 mph) measured during Tropical Cyclone Olivia (1996) in Australia.
Do cars ever use knots?
No. Cars use:
- mph (miles per hour) in the US, UK.
- km/h (kilometers per hour) everywhere else.
Knots are exclusively for maritime and aviation use.
Why is a nautical mile longer than a statute mile?
Statute Mile: Based on Roman measurements (1,000 paces = 5,280 feet). Arbitrary.
Nautical Mile: Based on Earth's geometry (1 minute of latitude = 6,076 feet). Scientific.
The nautical mile is 15% longer because it's tied to the planet's actual size.
How fast is the wind in a hurricane?
Hurricane Categories (Saffir-Simpson Scale):
| Category | Wind Speed (Knots) | Wind Speed (mph) | Damage | |----------|-------------------|------------------|--------| | Tropical Storm | 34-63 knots | 39-73 mph | Minimal | | Category 1 | 64-82 knots | 74-95 mph | Some damage | | Category 2 | 83-95 knots | 96-110 mph | Extensive damage | | Category 3 | 96-112 knots | 111-129 mph | Devastating | | Category 4 | 113-136 knots | 130-156 mph | Catastrophic | | Category 5 | 137+ knots | 157+ mph | Total destruction |
Threshold: A tropical storm becomes a hurricane at 64 knots (74 mph).
What is a "gale" in knots?
Beaufort Wind Scale:
| Force | Name | Wind Speed (Knots) | Conditions | |-------|------|-------------------|------------| | 7 | Near Gale | 28-33 | Difficult to walk | | 8 | Gale | 34-40 | Twigs break off trees | | 9 | Strong Gale | 41-47 | Roof damage | | 10 | Storm | 48-55 | Trees uprooted | | 11 | Violent Storm | 56-63 | Widespread damage | | 12 | Hurricane | 64+ | Catastrophic |
Gale Warning: Issued when winds are expected to reach 34-47 knots.
How fast is Mach 1 in knots?
Mach 1 (speed of sound) varies with temperature and altitude.
At Sea Level (59°F):
- Mach 1 ≈ 661 knots (761 mph, 1,225 km/h).
At 35,000 feet (typical cruise altitude):
- Mach 1 ≈ 573 knots (659 mph, 1,062 km/h).
Concorde Cruise Speed:
- Mach 2.0 ≈ 1,150 knots (1,323 mph).
Conversion Table: Kilometer per hour to Knot
| Kilometer per hour (km/h) | Knot (kn) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.27 |
| 1 | 0.54 |
| 1.5 | 0.81 |
| 2 | 1.08 |
| 5 | 2.7 |
| 10 | 5.4 |
| 25 | 13.499 |
| 50 | 26.998 |
| 100 | 53.996 |
| 250 | 134.989 |
| 500 | 269.978 |
| 1,000 | 539.957 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Kilometer per hour to Knot?
To convert Kilometer per hour to Knot, enter the value in Kilometer per hour in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our speed converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Kilometer per hour to Knot?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilometer per hour and Knot. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Knot back to Kilometer per hour?
Yes! You can easily convert Knot back to Kilometer per hour by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Knot to Kilometer per hour converter page. You can also explore other speed conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Kilometer per hour and Knot?
Kilometer per hour and Knot are both standard units used in speed measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our speed converter for more conversion options.
For more speed conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
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Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Standards for speed and velocity measurements
Last verified: December 3, 2025