Knot to Kilometer per Hour Converter
Quickly and accurately convert speed measurements from knots to kilometers per hour with our free online Knot to km/h Converter. Perfect for marine navigation, aviation, meteorology, and more.
Common Conversions
| Knots | Kilometers per Hour (km/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 knot | 1.852 km/h |
| 5 knots | 9.26 km/h |
| 10 knots | 18.52 km/h |
| 15 knots | 27.78 km/h |
| 20 knots | 37.04 km/h |
| 25 knots | 46.3 km/h |
| 30 knots | 55.56 km/h |
| 50 knots | 92.6 km/h |
| 100 knots | 185.2 km/h |
How It Works
Converting from knots to kilometers per hour (km/h) is a common speed conversion, especially in marine navigation, aviation, and meteorology. This conversion helps translate nautical speeds into a more widely understood metric unit.
Conversion Formula:
1 knot = 1.852 kilometers per hour
To convert knots to kilometers per hour, multiply the knot value by 1.852:
Kilometers per Hour = Knots × 1.852
Why is the factor 1.852?
A knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour. Since one nautical mile is exactly 1.852 kilometers (by international agreement), one knot equals 1.852 kilometers per hour.
Example Calculation:
To convert 20 knots to kilometers per hour:
Kilometers per Hour = 20 knots × 1.852 = 37.04 km/h
Our converter handles this calculation automatically and provides results with up to 9 decimal places for precision. It also formats the result to remove unnecessary trailing zeros for better readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a knot?
A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, or approximately 1.852 kilometers per hour. It is commonly used in maritime navigation, aviation, and meteorology. The term “knot” historically comes from the method of measuring a ship’s speed using a log line with knots tied at regular intervals.
What is a kilometer per hour?
A kilometer per hour (km/h or kph) is a unit of speed in the metric system, representing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour. It’s the standard unit of speed in most countries around the world, used for vehicle speed limits, weather reports (wind speed), and sports.
Why would I need to convert knots to kilometers per hour?
This conversion is commonly needed when translating marine or aviation speeds into units more familiar to the general public. For example, weather reports might need to convert wind speeds from knots (used in meteorology) to km/h for public broadcasts, or a sailor might need to convert nautical speeds to km/h when communicating with people on land.
How accurate is this converter?
Our converter uses the exact conversion factor of 1.852 kilometers per hour per knot, which is the internationally agreed standard. The calculator can display results with up to 9 decimal places for high precision needs, though most practical applications don’t require this level of precision.
What are some common speed benchmarks in both knots and km/h?
- Light breeze: 4-6 knots (7.4-11.1 km/h)
- Moderate breeze: 11-16 knots (20.4-29.6 km/h)
- Strong breeze: 22-27 knots (40.7-50.0 km/h)
- Average cruising speed of a sailboat: 5-7 knots (9.3-13.0 km/h)
- Average cruising speed of a cargo ship: 16-25 knots (29.6-46.3 km/h)
- Average cruising speed of a passenger aircraft: 480-510 knots (889-944 km/h)
How do I convert kilometers per hour back to knots?
To convert from kilometers per hour to knots, divide the kilometers per hour value by 1.852 (or multiply by 0.539957). Alternatively, you can use our Kilometer per Hour to Knot Converter for quick and accurate conversions.