Knots to MPH Converter
1 knot = 1.15078 mph — aviation & maritime speed converter
Knots to MPH Reference Table
Quick estimate: Multiply knots by 1.15 for mph, or by 1.85 for km/h. Example: 100 knots × 1.15 = 115 mph (actual: 115.08).
| Knots | MPH | km/h | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kn | 1.151 mph | 1.852 km/h | Light air |
| 3 kn | 3.452 mph | 5.556 km/h | Light breeze |
| 5 kn | 5.754 mph | 9.260 km/h | Light breeze |
| 10 kn | 11.508 mph | 18.520 km/h | Light breeze |
| 15 kn | 17.262 mph | 27.780 km/h | Moderate breeze |
| 20 kn | 23.016 mph | 37.040 km/h | Fresh breeze |
| 30 kn | 34.523 mph | 55.560 km/h | Strong wind |
| 40 kn | 46.031 mph | 74.080 km/h | Gale |
| 50 kn | 57.539 mph | 92.600 km/h | Storm |
| 60 kn | 69.047 mph | 111.120 km/h | Violent storm |
| 100 kn | 115.078 mph | 185.200 km/h | Small aircraft cruise |
| 150 kn | 172.617 mph | 277.800 km/h | Fast aircraft |
| 250 kn | 287.695 mph | 463.000 km/h | Jet cruise |
| 500 kn | 575.390 mph | 926.000 km/h | Fighter jet |
Beaufort Wind Scale
The Beaufort scale uses knots to describe wind conditions at sea and on land:
| Force | Knots | MPH | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BF 0 | < 1 kn | < 1.2 | Calm |
| BF 1 | 1–3 kn | 1.2–3.5 | Light air |
| BF 2 | 4–6 kn | 4.6–6.9 | Light breeze |
| BF 3 | 7–10 kn | 8.1–11.5 | Gentle breeze |
| BF 4 | 11–16 kn | 12.7–18.4 | Moderate breeze |
| BF 5 | 17–21 kn | 19.6–24.2 | Fresh breeze |
| BF 6 | 22–27 kn | 25.3–31.1 | Strong breeze |
| BF 7 | 28–33 kn | 32.2–38.0 | High wind / Near gale |
| BF 8 | 34–40 kn | 39.1–46.0 | Gale |
| BF 9 | 41–47 kn | 47.2–54.1 | Strong / Severe gale |
| BF 10 | 48–55 kn | 55.2–63.3 | Storm |
| BF 11 | 56–63 kn | 64.4–72.5 | Violent storm |
| BF 12 | ≥ 64 kn | ≥ 73.6 | Hurricane |
What Is a Knot?
A knot is one nautical mile per hour. One nautical mile = 1.852 km = 1.15078 statute miles. Knots are the standard unit of speed in aviation, maritime navigation, and meteorology worldwide. The term originates from the old practice of measuring ship speed by counting knots on a rope thrown overboard.
- Ships — cruising at 20–30 knots (23–35 mph)
- Small aircraft — cruise at 100–150 knots (115–173 mph)
- Commercial jets — cruise at ~480 knots (552 mph)
- Wind speed — measured in knots by meteorologists worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mph is 1 knot?
1 knot = 1.15078 mph.
How fast is 20 knots in mph?
20 knots = 23.016 mph. Multiply 20 × 1.15078 = 23.016.
How fast is 100 knots in mph?
100 knots = 115.08 mph. A typical small aircraft cruises at about 100–150 knots.
Why do planes and ships use knots?
Knots are based on nautical miles, which are tied to Earth's geography (1 minute of latitude). This makes navigation charts and calculations simpler at sea and in the air.
How many km/h is 1 knot?
1 knot = 1.852 km/h exactly. 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km by definition.