kt to km/h Conversion Calculator
Click on the following link if you want to convert kilometers per hour to knots – km/h to kt
History
The knot (kt) is an old maritime unit that dates back to the time of sailing ships.
Sailors used to drop a rope with evenly spaced knots into the water and count how many knots passed through their hands in a given time.
That’s how one knot came to mean one nautical mile per hour.
A nautical mile equals 1.852 kilometers, which gives us the conversion rule:
1 knot = 1.852 km/h
Common Usage
- Knots (kt) are used in aviation, navigation, and weather reports.
- Kilometers per hour (km/h) are used on roads, vehicles, and land transport systems.
For example, if a ship sails at 20 knots, it’s moving at 37 km/h.
Conversion Formula
To convert knots to kilometers per hour:
km/h = knots × 1.852
Example:
Convert 30 knots to km/h.
30 × 1.852 = 55.56 km/h
So, 30 knots equal 55.56 km/h.
Conversion Table
| Knots (kt) | Kilometers per Hour (km/h) |
|---|---|
| 5 kt | 9.26 km/h |
| 10 kt | 18.52 km/h |
| 15 kt | 27.78 km/h |
| 20 kt | 37.04 km/h |
| 25 kt | 46.30 km/h |
| 30 kt | 55.56 km/h |
| 40 kt | 74.08 km/h |
| 50 kt | 92.60 km/h |
| 60 kt | 111.12 km/h |
| 100 kt | 185.20 km/h |
Interesting Facts
- The knot is directly related to the Earth’s geometry, since a nautical mile represents one minute of latitude.
- Pilots and ship captains still use knots for precision and consistency across international borders.
- Wind speeds in meteorological reports are also given in knots.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many km/h are in one knot?
1.852 km/h.
2. How do I convert knots to km/h?
Multiply by 1.852.
3. Why not just use km/h everywhere?
Because nautical miles make global navigation easier since they align with latitude and longitude.
4. What’s faster: 30 knots or 30 km/h?
30 knots – it equals 55.56 km/h.
5. Is a knot an SI unit?
No, but it’s recognized internationally for navigation.
