Knot to Mile per hour Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert knots to miles per hour with our free online speed converter.
Knot to Mile per hour Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Knot).
- The converted value in Mile per hour 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 Knot to Mile per hour
Converting Knot to Mile per hour involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Knot = 1.150779 miles per hourExample Calculation:
Convert 60 knots: 60 × 1.150779 = 69.04677 miles per hour
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 Knot and a Mile per 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).
Miles per hour (mph, MPH, or mi/h) is an imperial and US customary unit of speed expressing the number of statute miles traveled in one hour.
Note: The Knot is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Mile per hour belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Knot and Mile per hour
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.
Miles per hour became prominent with the rise of automotive transportation in countries using the imperial system, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States. It provided a practical measure for road travel speeds and regulations.
Common Uses for knots and miles per hour
Explore the typical applications for both Knot (imperial/US) and Mile per hour (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
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.
Common Uses for miles per hour
- Road Traffic (US/UK): The standard unit for speed limits and vehicle speeds (speedometers) in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries.
- Rail Transport (US/UK): Often used for train speeds in these same countries.
- Meteorology (Informal): Sometimes used informally in the US/UK for wind speed in public weather reports, though knots or m/s are preferred in official meteorological contexts.
- Sports: Used in some sports like baseball (pitch speed) and sometimes informally in running or cycling in relevant countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions 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.
About Mile per hour (mph)
Which countries use mph for speed limits?
Miles per hour is primarily used for road speed limits in the United States, the United Kingdom, and some Caribbean nations.
Is mph an SI unit?
No, mph is part of the imperial and US customary systems. The SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).
How do you convert mph to km/h?
Multiply the speed in mph by 1.60934. So, 60 mph is approximately 96.6 km/h.
How do you convert mph to ft/s?
Multiply the speed in mph by 1.46667. So, 60 mph is approximately 88 ft/s.
Conversion Table: Knot to Mile per hour
| Knot (kn) | Mile per hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.151 |
| 5 | 5.754 |
| 10 | 11.508 |
| 25 | 28.77 |
| 50 | 57.539 |
| 100 | 115.078 |
| 500 | 575.39 |
| 1,000 | 1,150.779 |
All Speed Conversions
Conversion Formula
1 kn = 1.150779 mph
Where 1 Knot (kn) equals the calculated value in miles per hour (mph).