Nautical Converter
Convert between nautical miles, kilometers, statute miles, knots, km/h, and mph instantly.
Type in any field — the others update instantly.
Nautical units are used in maritime and aviation navigation.
Distance conversions:
- 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km (exact, by international agreement)
- 1 nautical mile = 1.15078 statute miles
- 1 nautical mile = 6,076.12 feet
- 1 nautical mile = 1 minute of latitude (by definition)
Speed conversions:
- 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour
- 1 knot = 1.852 km/h (exact)
- 1 knot = 1.15078 mph
- 1 knot = 0.51444 m/s
Common references:
- Cruise ship: 20-24 knots (37-44 km/h)
- Container ship: 14-24 knots (26-44 km/h)
- Commercial aircraft: 450-550 knots (833-1,019 km/h)
- Sailboat: 5-8 knots (9-15 km/h)
Why nautical miles? They relate directly to Earth’s geometry. 1 nautical mile = 1 arc minute of latitude. This makes navigation calculations much simpler.