Knots to KPH Converter
Convert knots to kph (and kph to knots) instantly with the exact formula. One knot equals exactly 1.852 kilometers per hour. This knots to km/h converter works in both directions: type a value, see every step of the calculation, switch to multi-unit mode for mph, m/s and ft/s, or browse the conversion chart below.
Knots to km/h Calculator
Type a speed below: this knots to kph calculator converts live as you type.
Live conversion: the result updates as you type.
Knots to KPH Formula
The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters. Since one knot is one nautical mile per hour:
Related exact factors derived from international definitions: 1 knot = 1.150779448 mph (1 mile = 1.609344 km) and 1 knot = 0.514444444 m/s (1 m/s = 3.6 km/h).
Knots to KPH Chart
Popular values for quick lookup in this knots to kph table. Every row is knots × 1.852, exactly.
| Knots (kt) | Kilometers per hour (km/h) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.852 |
| 5 | 9.26 |
| 10 | 18.52 |
| 15 | 27.78 |
| 20 | 37.04 |
| 25 | 46.3 |
| 30 | 55.56 |
| 35 | 64.82 |
| 40 | 74.08 |
| 50 | 92.6 |
| 60 | 111.12 |
| 70 | 129.64 |
| 80 | 148.16 |
| 100 | 185.2 |
| 150 | 277.8 |
| 200 | 370.4 |
Speed in Context: Boats, Wind, and Planes
Reference speeds for the most common uses: boat speed from knots to kph, ship speed from knots to kph, wind speed from knots to kph, and airplane speed from knots to kph.
Boat and ship speeds
Dinghy / rowboat
About 6 kt (11.1 km/h)
Cruising sailboat
5–8 kt (9.3–14.8 km/h)
Small motorboat
20–30 kt (37–55.6 km/h)
Ferry
20–40 kt (37–74.1 km/h)
Container ship
18–25 kt (33.3–46.3 km/h)
Speedboat
40–60 kt (74.1–111.1 km/h)
Beaufort wind scale (knots)
Wind speed is reported in knots worldwide. The kph column is approximate (rounded).
| Force | Description | Knots | km/h (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Calm | <1 | <2 |
| 1 | Light air | 1–3 | 2–6 |
| 2 | Light breeze | 4–6 | 7–11 |
| 3 | Gentle breeze | 7–10 | 13–19 |
| 4 | Moderate breeze | 11–16 | 20–30 |
| 5 | Fresh breeze | 17–21 | 31–39 |
| 6 | Strong breeze | 22–27 | 41–50 |
| 7 | Near gale | 28–33 | 52–61 |
| 8 | Gale | 34–40 | 63–74 |
| 9 | Strong gale | 41–47 | 76–87 |
| 10 | Storm | 48–55 | 89–102 |
| 11 | Violent storm | 56–63 | 104–117 |
| 12 | Hurricane force | 64+ | 119+ |
Airplane speeds
Small propeller plane
Cruise about 110 kt (203.7 km/h)
Airliner takeoff
130–150 kt (240.8–277.8 km/h)
Airliner cruise
450–500 kt (833.4–926 km/h)
Worked Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers: 30 knots to kph is 55.56 km/h, 50 knots to kph is 92.6 km/h, and 100 knots to kph is 185.2 km/h.
What is the formula to convert knots to kph?
How fast is 1 knot in kph?
How do you convert 10 knots to kph?
What is 20 knots in kph?
What is 30 knots in kph?
What is 50 knots in kph?
What is 100 knots in kph?
How do I convert kph to knots?
Is kph the same as km/h?
Knots vs kph: what is the difference?
How do I convert knots to mph?
How do I convert knots to meters per second?
What wind speed in knots is considered a storm?
How fast is a boat going at 25 knots in kph?
How fast is 450 knots in kph for an airplane?
Why do boats and planes use knots instead of kph?
Methodology and Sources
All conversions in this tool come from international definitions, not approximations:
- 1 knot = 1.852 km/h exactly. The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters (adopted 1954).
- 1 knot = 1.150779448 mph, derived as 1.852 ÷ 1.609344. The statute mile is exactly 1.609344 km (International Yard and Pound Agreement, 1959).
- 1 knot = 0.514444444 m/s, derived as 1.852 ÷ 3.6, since 3.6 km/h = 1 m/s exactly.
- 1 knot = 1.687809857 ft/s, since 1 foot = 0.3048 m exactly (1959).
- Beaufort scale knot ranges follow the WMO standard force table; the kph column is rounded and labeled approximate.
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