Feet to Nautical Miles
An instant feet-to-nautical miles converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Feet | Nautical Miles |
|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.000165 nmi |
| 2 ft | 0.000329 nmi |
| 3 ft | 0.000494 nmi |
| 5 ft | 0.000823 nmi |
| 10 ft | 0.001646 nmi |
| 25 ft | 0.004114 nmi |
| 50 ft | 0.008229 nmi |
| 100 ft | 0.016458 nmi |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Feet field.
- The Nautical Miles figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Nautical Miles field converts back to Feet the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Feet to Nautical Miles formula
Converting feet to nautical miles is a single multiplication by 0.000164578834.
nmi = ft × 0.000164578834
Why this factor: the foot and the nautical mile are both defined against the meter, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.000164578834 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.000164578834 — or use the Nautical Miles to Feet converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 5 ft. Multiply by 0.000164578834 to get 0.000823 nmi.
5 ft × 0.000164578834 = 0.000823 nmi
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a foot?
A foot is twelve inches, the primary unit for human-scale dimensions in the US.
Definition: Exactly 0.3048 meter since 1959 — one third of the international yard.
Where it is used: Building heights, room dimensions, aviation altitude worldwide, and personal height in the US and UK.
Worth knowing: The US survey foot, very slightly longer, was used in land surveying until it was officially retired at the end of 2022.
What is a nautical mile?
A nautical mile is the distance unit of sea and air navigation, chosen so it tracks latitude on a chart.
Definition: Exactly 1,852 meters, fixed by the 1929 International Extraordinary Hydrographic Conference. It approximates one arcminute of latitude.
Where it is used: Marine and aviation navigation, maritime boundaries, and the basis of the knot (one nautical mile per hour).
Worth knowing: About 15% longer than a statute mile — mixing the two is a classic navigation error.
Feet vs Nautical Miles
The foot is an imperial unit while the nautical mile 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 nautical miles are in a foot?
One foot equals 0.000164578834 nautical miles.
What is the formula to convert feet to nautical miles?
Multiply the number of feet by 0.000164578834. To reverse it, divide by 0.000164578834 instead.
How do I convert nautical miles back to feet?
Divide by 0.000164578834, which is the same as multiplying by 6076.11549.
How many nautical miles are in 10 feet?
10 ft works out to 0.001646 nmi.
Is there anything to watch out for with feet?
The US survey foot, very slightly longer, was used in land surveying until it was officially retired at the end of 2022.
How is the foot defined?
Exactly 0.3048 meter since 1959 — one third of the international yard.