Knots to Miles Per Hour
An instant knots-to-miles per hour converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Knots | Miles Per Hour |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 1.150779 mph |
| 2 kn | 2.301559 mph |
| 3 kn | 3.452338 mph |
| 5 kn | 5.753897 mph |
| 10 kn | 11.507794 mph |
| 25 kn | 28.769486 mph |
| 50 kn | 57.538972 mph |
| 100 kn | 115.077945 mph |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Knots field.
- The Miles Per Hour figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Miles Per Hour field converts back to Knots the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Knots to Miles Per Hour formula
Converting knots to miles per hour is a single multiplication by 1.15077945.
mph = kn × 1.15077945
Why this factor: the knot and the mile per hour are both defined against the meter per second, so dividing one definition by the other gives 1.15077945 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 1.15077945 — or use the Miles Per Hour to Knots converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 60 kn. Multiply by 1.15077945 to get 69.046767 mph.
60 kn × 1.15077945 = 69.046767 mph
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 mile per hour?
Miles per hour is the road speed unit of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Definition: Exactly 0.44704 meters per second, following from the exact 1,609.344 m mile.
Where it is used: US and UK speed limits and speedometers, plus baseball pitch and tennis serve speeds.
Knots vs Miles Per Hour
The knot is a specialized unit while the mile per hour is an imperial 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 miles per hour are in a knot?
One knot equals 1.15077945 miles per hour.
What is the formula to convert knots to miles per hour?
Multiply the number of knots by 1.15077945. To reverse it, divide by 1.15077945 instead.
How do I convert miles per hour back to knots?
Divide by 1.15077945, which is the same as multiplying by 0.868976242.
How many miles per hour are in 10 knots?
10 kn works out to 11.507794 mph.
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.