Home
Back
Knots to Kilometers Conversion Formula:
| From: | To: |
The knots to kilometers conversion is used to convert speed or distance measurements from nautical miles per hour (knots) to kilometers. This conversion is essential in maritime and aviation navigation where knots are the standard unit of speed measurement.
The calculator uses the conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: One knot equals one nautical mile per hour, and one nautical mile is defined as exactly 1.852 kilometers.
Details: This conversion is crucial for maritime navigation, aviation, weather reporting, and international shipping where speed measurements need to be converted between nautical and metric systems for various applications including route planning, fuel calculations, and international communications.
Tips: Enter the speed in knots (nautical miles per hour). The value must be non-negative. The calculator will automatically convert it to kilometers using the standard conversion factor of 1.852.
Q1: Why is 1 knot equal to 1.852 kilometers?
A: This is based on the international definition where one nautical mile is equal to exactly 1,852 meters, which is based on the circumference of the Earth.
Q2: What is the difference between knots and kilometers per hour?
A: Knots measure speed in nautical miles per hour (used in maritime and aviation), while kilometers per hour measure speed in the metric system (used in land transportation).
Q3: When should I use knots instead of km/h?
A: Use knots for maritime navigation, aviation, and meteorology. Use km/h for land transportation and everyday speed measurements in metric-using countries.
Q4: How accurate is the conversion factor?
A: The conversion factor 1.852 is exact and internationally standardized, making the conversion highly accurate.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for distance conversion as well?
A: Yes, since knots represent nautical miles per hour, the same conversion factor applies to distance conversions between nautical miles and kilometers.