Convert knots to miles per hour with precision
10 knots = 11.51 mph
| Knots | MPH | Knots | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 knots | 5.75 mph | 30 knots | 34.52 mph |
| 10 knots | 11.51 mph | 40 knots | 46.03 mph |
| 15 knots | 17.26 mph | 50 knots | 57.54 mph |
| 20 knots | 23.02 mph | 75 knots | 86.31 mph |
| 25 knots | 28.77 mph | 100 knots | 115.08 mph |
Converting knots to miles per hour (mph) is essential for maritime navigation, aviation, weather reporting, and understanding wind speeds. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need for accurate knot to mph conversion.
A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. It's the standard unit for maritime and aviation speed measurements, while mph (miles per hour) uses statute miles and is common in automotive and general applications.
The conversion from knots to mph uses the following formula:
This conversion factor comes from the relationship between nautical miles and statute miles.
The conversion factor 1.150779 is derived from:
Knots are based on nautical miles, which correspond to Earth's latitude lines. One nautical mile equals one minute of latitude, making navigation calculations easier and more precise.
A nautical mile (1,852 m) is longer than a statute mile (1,609.344 m). This is why knots convert to a higher mph value - you're covering more distance per hour.
Maritime and aviation weather reports use knots, but land-based weather often uses mph (US) or km/h (most other countries). Hurricane wind speeds are reported in both knots and mph.
Using 1.15 instead of 1.150779 introduces minimal error (less than 0.1%), making it perfectly adequate for most practical purposes and mental calculations.