kt to mph Conversion Calculator
Click on the following link if you want to convert miles per hour to knots – mph to kt
History
The knot (kt) has its roots in early maritime navigation.
Sailors once measured speed using a rope with evenly spaced knots tied along it. They’d drop it into the water and count how many knots passed through their hands in a set time. That’s how the name “knot” came to represent one nautical mile per hour.
A nautical mile is based on the Earth’s circumference and equals 1.852 kilometers, or 1.1508 miles.
Thus:
1 knot = 1.1508 mph
Common Usage
- Knots (kt) are used in aviation, maritime navigation, and meteorology.
- Miles per hour (mph) are used for land travel, especially in the United States and the U.K.
For example, a plane flying at 500 knots is moving at about 575 mph.
Conversion Formula
The relationship is:
mph = knots × 1.1508
Example:
Convert 20 knots to mph.
20 × 1.1508 = 23.02 mph
So, 20 knots equals 23 mph.
Conversion Table
| Knots (kt) | Miles per Hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| 5 kt | 5.75 mph |
| 10 kt | 11.51 mph |
| 15 kt | 17.26 mph |
| 20 kt | 23.02 mph |
| 25 kt | 28.77 mph |
| 30 kt | 34.53 mph |
| 40 kt | 46.04 mph |
| 50 kt | 57.54 mph |
| 60 kt | 69.05 mph |
| 100 kt | 115.08 mph |
Interesting Facts
- The knot is still used in aviation and marine contexts because it’s tied to the geometry of the Earth.
- Airplane and ship speeds are usually reported in knots, even when converted later to mph or km/h for general audiences.
- The fastest recorded wind speed on Earth was 253 knots (292 mph) during a tropical cyclone.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many mph are in one knot?
1.1508 mph.
2. How do I convert knots to mph?
Multiply by 1.1508.
3. Why do ships and planes use knots?
Because nautical miles are based on degrees of latitude, making navigation simpler.
4. What is faster: 20 knots or 20 mph?
20 knots – it equals 23 mph.
5. Is a knot an SI unit?
No, but it’s recognized internationally for navigation and meteorology.
