Knot to Mile per Hour Converter
Converts knot to mile per hour (kn to mph) and back. The conversion factor is shown below every result.
How to Convert Knot to Mile per Hour
What Is a Knot?
A knot (kn) is a unit of speed equal to one international nautical mile (1,852 meters) per hour, used in maritime and aviation navigation.
What Is a Mile per Hour?
Miles per hour (mph) is a unit of speed based on the statute mile, defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters.
Common Knot to Mile per Hour Reference Points
Real-world reference values for quick sanity checks.
| Item | Knot (kn) | Mile per Hour (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A typical cruising sailboat | 6 kn | 6.9 mph |
| Hurricane-force wind threshold (64 kn) | 64 kn | 73.65 mph |
| Reference values are illustrative approximations for common items, not measured specifications. | ||
Knot to Mile per Hour Conversion Table
| Knot (kn) | Mile per Hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 1.150779 mph |
| 5 kn | 5.753897 mph |
| 10 kn | 11.507794 mph |
| 20 kn | 23.015589 mph |
| 30 kn | 34.523383 mph |
| 40 kn | 46.031178 mph |
| 50 kn | 57.538972 mph |
| 64 kn | 73.649885 mph |
| 75 kn | 86.308459 mph |
| 100 kn | 115.077945 mph |
| Source: NIST SP 811, Appendix B (1 international nautical mile = 1,852 m exactly; 1 statute mile = 1,609.344 m exactly) | |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert knots to miles per hour?
Multiply the knot value by about 1.150779. For example, 20 kn × 1.150779 = 23.02 mph.
Why do ships and aircraft use knots instead of mph?
A knot equals one nautical mile per hour, and the nautical mile is tied to a minute of latitude on the Earth's surface, which makes it directly useful for chart-based navigation. Maritime and aviation navigation have used knots for this reason for centuries.
Is a knot the same as a mile per hour?
No. 1 knot is about 1.15 mph, since the nautical mile (1,852 m) is longer than the statute mile (1,609.344 m) used to define mph.
Related Speed Converters
A good measuring tool marked in both kn and mph removes the guesswork at the point of use.