Kilometer per Hour to Knot Converter
Quickly and accurately convert speed measurements from kilometers per hour to knots with our free online km/h to Knot Converter. Perfect for marine navigation, aviation, meteorology, and more.
Common Conversions
| Kilometers per Hour (km/h) | Knots |
|---|---|
| 1 km/h | 0.539957 knots |
| 5 km/h | 2.699784 knots |
| 10 km/h | 5.399568 knots |
| 20 km/h | 10.799136 knots |
| 30 km/h | 16.198704 knots |
| 50 km/h | 26.99784 knots |
| 60 km/h | 32.397408 knots |
| 100 km/h | 53.99568 knots |
| 120 km/h | 64.794816 knots |
How It Works
Converting from kilometers per hour (km/h) to knots is a common speed conversion, especially in marine navigation, aviation, and meteorology. This conversion helps translate everyday metric speeds into nautical speeds.
Conversion Formula:
1 kilometer per hour = 0.539957 knots
To convert kilometers per hour to knots, multiply the kilometers per hour value by 0.539957 (or divide by 1.852):
Knots = Kilometers per Hour × 0.539957
Knots = Kilometers per Hour ÷ 1.852
Why is the factor 0.539957?
A knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour. Since one nautical mile is exactly 1.852 kilometers (by international agreement), the conversion factor from km/h to knots is 1 ÷ 1.852 = 0.539957.
Example Calculation:
To convert 100 kilometers per hour to knots:
Knots = 100 km/h × 0.539957 = 53.9957 knots
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 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.
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.
Why would I need to convert kilometers per hour to knots?
This conversion is commonly needed when working with marine navigation, aviation, or meteorology. For example, if you’re a boater who is more familiar with road speeds in km/h but need to understand nautical speeds, or if you’re interpreting weather data where wind speeds might be given in km/h but nautical charts use knots.
How accurate is this converter?
Our converter uses the exact conversion factor of 0.539957 knots per kilometer per hour, which is derived from the internationally agreed standard of 1 nautical mile = 1.852 kilometers. 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 km/h and knots?
- Light breeze: 7.4-11.1 km/h (4-6 knots)
- Moderate breeze: 20.4-29.6 km/h (11-16 knots)
- Strong breeze: 40.7-50.0 km/h (22-27 knots)
- Average cruising speed of a sailboat: 9.3-13.0 km/h (5-7 knots)
- Average cruising speed of a cargo ship: 29.6-46.3 km/h (16-25 knots)
- Average cruising speed of a passenger aircraft: 889-944 km/h (480-510 knots)
How do I convert knots back to kilometers per hour?
To convert from knots to kilometers per hour, multiply the knot value by 1.852. Alternatively, you can use our Knot to Kilometer per Hour Converter for quick and accurate conversions.