Knots to Meters Per Second
Convert knots to meters per second instantly — one knot is 0.514444 meters per second.
| Knots | Meters Per Second |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 0.514444 m/s |
| 2 kn | 1.028889 m/s |
| 3 kn | 1.543333 m/s |
| 5 kn | 2.572222 m/s |
| 10 kn | 5.144444 m/s |
| 25 kn | 12.861111 m/s |
| 50 kn | 25.722222 m/s |
| 100 kn | 51.444444 m/s |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Knots field.
- The Meters Per Second figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Meters Per Second field converts back to Knots the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Knots to Meters Per Second formula
The factor from knots to meters per second is 0.514444444.
m/s = kn × 0.514444444
Put another way, one knot is exactly 463/900 meters per second.
Why this factor: the knot and the meter per second are both defined against the meter per second, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.514444444 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.514444444 — or use the Meters Per Second to Knots converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 30 kn. Multiply by 0.514444444 to get 15.433333 m/s.
30 kn × 0.514444444 = 15.433333 m/s
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
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.
What is a meter per second?
Meters per second is the SI unit of speed, and the one physics equations expect.
Definition: Derived directly from the meter and the second.
Where it is used: Physics and engineering calculations, wind speed in meteorology, and sound and projectile velocities.
Knots vs Meters Per Second
The knot is a specialized unit while the meter per second is an SI 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 meters per second are in a knot?
One knot equals 0.514444444 meters per second.
What is the formula to convert knots to meters per second?
Multiply the number of knots by 0.514444444. To reverse it, divide by 0.514444444 instead.
How do I convert meters per second back to knots?
Divide by 0.514444444, which is the same as multiplying by 1.94384449.
How many meters per second are in 10 knots?
10 kn works out to 5.144444 m/s.
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 knot defined?
Exactly 1,852 meters per 3,600 seconds, so about 0.514444 m/s.