Feet Per Second to Knots
Type a value in either box to convert between feet per second and knots. The factor is 0.592484.
| Feet Per Second | Knots |
|---|---|
| 1 ft/s | 0.592484 kn |
| 2 ft/s | 1.184968 kn |
| 3 ft/s | 1.777451 kn |
| 5 ft/s | 2.962419 kn |
| 10 ft/s | 5.924838 kn |
| 25 ft/s | 14.812095 kn |
| 50 ft/s | 29.62419 kn |
| 100 ft/s | 59.24838 kn |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Feet Per Second field.
- The Knots figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Knots field converts back to Feet Per Second the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Feet Per Second to Knots formula
The factor from feet per second to knots is 0.592483801.
kn = ft/s × 0.592483801
Why this factor: the foot per second and the knot are both defined against the meter per second, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.592483801 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.592483801 — or use the Knots to Feet Per Second converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Given 100 ft/s, multiplying by 0.592483801 yields 59.24838 kn.
100 ft/s × 0.592483801 = 59.24838 kn
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a foot per second?
Feet per second is a US engineering speed unit, common where distances are short.
Definition: Exactly 0.3048 meter per second, following from the exact definition of the foot.
Where it is used: Ballistics and muzzle velocities, fluid flow in pipes, and conveyor speeds in the US.
What is a knot?
A knot is one nautical mile per hour, the speed unit of ships and aircraft.
Definition: Exactly 1,852 meters per 3,600 seconds, so about 0.514444 m/s.
Where it is used: Marine and aviation speeds, and wind speed in forecasts for sailors and pilots.
Worth knowing: Say 'knots', never 'knots per hour' — the 'per hour' is already inside the unit.
Feet Per Second vs Knots
The foot per second is an imperial unit while the knot is a specialized unit. That is why the factor between them is not a round number: the two systems were defined independently and only later tied together by exact agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How many knots are in a foot per second?
One foot per second equals 0.592483801 knots.
What is the formula to convert feet per second to knots?
Multiply the number of feet per second by 0.592483801. To reverse it, divide by 0.592483801 instead.
How do I convert knots back to feet per second?
Divide by 0.592483801, which is the same as multiplying by 1.68780986.
How many knots are in 10 feet per second?
10 ft/s works out to 5.924838 kn.
Is there anything to watch out for with knots?
Say 'knots', never 'knots per hour' — the 'per hour' is already inside the unit.
How is the foot per second defined?
Exactly 0.3048 meter per second, following from the exact definition of the foot.