Conversions
Knots to Mph Converter
Convert knots to mph and back instantly. Shows km/h, m/s, and ft/s plus the Beaufort wind force label for the speed.
Knots and mph converter
One knot is one nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h exact).
Miles per hour
23.0156 mph
Beaufort: Fresh
Knots
20 kn
Mph
23.0156 mph
Km/h
37.04 km/h
m/s
10.2889 m/s
ft/s
33.7562 ft/s
Frequently Asked Questions about the Knots to Mph Converter
How many mph is 1 knot?
One knot equals 1.15077945 mph. The knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour, and a nautical mile is 1,852 meters, so the conversion to statute miles per hour falls just over 1.15.
What is the exact formula?
Multiply knots by 1.15077945 to get mph. To go the other way, divide mph by 1.15077945. Knots to km/h is exact at 1.852 since both units derive from the international nautical mile.
Why do ships and aircraft use knots instead of mph?
One knot equals one minute of latitude per hour, which makes chart and navigation math line up with the Earth's grid. That tie to latitude is the reason the unit stuck in maritime and aviation use even as road traffic moved to mph or km/h.
How fast is a hurricane in mph?
Hurricane-force winds start at 64 knots on the Beaufort scale, which is about 73.6 mph or 118.5 km/h. The Saffir-Simpson scale used for tropical storms uses the same 74 mph threshold for a Category 1 hurricane.
Is 1 knot exactly 1.852 km/h?
Yes. The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters, so one knot is exactly 1.852 km/h. The mph value (1.15077945) is a rounded decimal because the statute mile (1,609.344 m) is a different base unit.