Knots to Miles per Hour Converter

About the kn to mph calculation

One knot is exactly 1.1508 miles 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. Speed limits and vehicle speedometers in the US and UK. Exactly 1.609344 km/h.

Formula

mph = kn × 1.1508

1 kn = 1.1508 mph
1 mph = 0.868976 kn

Worked example

To convert 20 kn, multiply by 1.1508: 20 × 1.1508 = 23.0156 mph.

Frequently asked questions

How many miles per hour are in a knot?

There are 1.1508 miles per hour in one knot. To convert any amount, multiply the number of knots by 1.1508.

How do I convert miles per hour back to knots?

Divide instead of multiplying, or equivalently multiply by 0.868976. One mile per hour is 0.868976 knots.

Is this conversion exact?

Yes. Since the international agreement of 1959, the relationship between knots and miles 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. Miles per Hour: speed limits and vehicle speedometers in the US and UK. Exactly 1.609344 km/h.

Sources

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