Knots to Meters per Second Converter

About the kn to m/s calculation

One knot is exactly 0.514444 meters per second, 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 SI unit of speed, used in physics and in wind-speed reporting.

Formula

m/s = kn × 0.514444

1 kn = 0.514444 m/s
1 m/s = 1.9438 kn

Worked example

To convert 20 kn, multiply by 0.514444: 20 × 0.514444 = 10.2889 m/s.

Frequently asked questions

How many meters per second are in a knot?

There are 0.514444 meters per second in one knot. To convert any amount, multiply the number of knots by 0.514444.

How do I convert meters per second back to knots?

Divide instead of multiplying, or equivalently multiply by 1.9438. One meter per second is 1.9438 knots.

Is this conversion exact?

Yes. Since the international agreement of 1959, the relationship between knots and meters per second 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. Meters per Second: the SI unit of speed, used in physics and in wind-speed reporting.

Sources

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