Knots to Kilometers per Hour Converter

About the kn to km/h calculation

One knot is exactly 1.852 kilometers per hour, so converting between them is a single multiplication. Enter any value above and the result updates as you type. One nautical mile per hour — the standard at sea and in aviation. The speed-limit unit across most of the world.

Formula

km/h = kn × 1.852

1 kn = 1.852 km/h
1 km/h = 0.539957 kn

Worked example

To convert 20 kn, multiply by 1.852: 20 × 1.852 = 37.04 km/h.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometers per hour are in a knot?

There are 1.852 kilometers per hour in one knot. To convert any amount, multiply the number of knots by 1.852.

How do I convert kilometers per hour back to knots?

Divide instead of multiplying, or equivalently multiply by 0.539957. One kilometer per hour is 0.539957 knots.

Is this conversion exact?

Yes. Since the international agreement of 1959, the relationship between knots and kilometers per hour is defined exactly rather than measured, so the only rounding here is in how many decimal places we show.

Where is each of these units used?

Knots: one nautical mile per hour — the standard at sea and in aviation. Kilometers per Hour: the speed-limit unit across most of the world.

Sources

• NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units