Convert knots to km/h (kn to km/h)
To convert knots to km/h, multiply the value in knots by 1.852. Sailors, pilots and anyone reading a marine or aviation forecast use it to make sense of wind and boat speeds. This knots to kmh converter works both ways: type knots or km/h into either box above and the other box, the worked formula and the chart below update as you type.
A knot (kn or kt) is one nautical mile per hour. The nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters, and the name comes from sailors counting the knots on a log line as it ran out behind the ship. Knots are the standard speed unit for ships, aircraft and marine weather forecasts worldwide. One knot is 1.852 kilometers per hour.
Kilometers per hour (km/h), sometimes written kph or kmph, is the distance in kilometers you would cover in one hour at a steady speed. Going the other way, one kilometer per hour equals 0.539957 knots. It is used on speedometers and road signs in India, Europe, Australia and most of the world.
How to convert knots to kmh with this tool
- Type a number into the Knots (kn) box — it starts at 20 kn as an example.
- Read the answer in the Kilometers per hour (km/h) box and in the result panel, which also shows the formula with your number.
- To go the other way, type into the km/h box and the knots value is worked out backwards. For other units, open the speed converter.
- Choose how many decimal places you want, or tap a quick value such as 5 kn, 10 kn, 20 kn.
- Press Copy result to paste the conversion into a message, spreadsheet or note.
Knots to Km/h converter features
Converts both ways
Type in the knots box to get km/h, or in the km/h box to get knots. The other box follows instantly.
Exact factor
Calculations use 1 kn = 1.852 km/h, and rounding is applied only to the answer you see — choose Auto or 0–10 decimal places.
Formula with your number
The working is shown under the result, for example 20 kn × 1.852 = 37.04 km/h, so you can check it or copy the method.
Quick values and chart
Tap common values like 5 kn, 10 kn, 20 kn, or read the knots-to-km/h table further down this page.
Miles per hour too
The speed is also shown in mph, useful for comparing a marine forecast with US or UK road speeds.
Knots to Km/h formula
The formula is km/h = kn × 1.852. It is exact because a knot is one nautical mile (exactly 1,852 m) per hour, so 1 kn = 1.852 km/h exactly.
The reverse formula is kn = km/h ÷ 1.852. Three worked examples:
- A 20-knot breeze: 20 kn × 1.852 = 37.04 km/h
- A yacht at 30 kn: 30 kn × 1.852 = 55.56 km/h
- An airliner at 450 kn: 450 kn × 1.852 = 833.4 km/h
Knots to Km/h quick reference
The values people look up most often, worked out with the exact factor:
- 1 kn = 1.852 km/h
- 1 km/h = 0.539957 kn
- 5 kn = 9.26 km/h
- 10 kn = 18.52 km/h
- 20 kn = 37.04 km/h
- 30 kn = 55.56 km/h
Quick tip: Double it and take off about 7%: 15 kn → 30 − 2 = 28 km/h, close to the exact 27.78 km/h.
Related conversions: MPH to Km/h, Km/h to MPH and the full speed converter.
Knots to Km/h conversion table
Values in km/h are rounded to 4 decimal places (more for very small numbers). For any value not listed, type it into the converter above.
| kn | km/h | kn | km/h |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.852 | 30 | 55.56 |
| 2 | 3.704 | 35 | 64.82 |
| 3 | 5.556 | 40 | 74.08 |
| 4 | 7.408 | 50 | 92.6 |
| 5 | 9.26 | 60 | 111.12 |
| 6 | 11.112 | 64 | 118.528 |
| 7 | 12.964 | 100 | 185.2 |
| 8 | 14.816 | 150 | 277.8 |
| 9 | 16.668 | 200 | 370.4 |
| 10 | 18.52 | 250 | 463 |
| 12 | 22.224 | 300 | 555.6 |
| 15 | 27.78 | 400 | 740.8 |
| 20 | 37.04 | 500 | 926 |
| 25 | 46.3 |
Knots to Km/h FAQ
What is 10 kn in km/h?
10 knots is 18.52 kilometers per hour: 10 kn × 1.852 = 18.52 km/h.
How do I convert knots to kmh?
Multiply the value in knots by 1.852. For example, 100 kn × 1.852 = 185.2 km/h. To convert back, divide the value in km/h by 1.852.
What is 1 km/h in knots?
One kilometer per hour is 0.54 knots, because 1 km/h ÷ 1.852 = 0.54 kn.
What does 100 kn equal in km/h?
How fast is a knot in mph?
One knot is about 1.1508 mph, so 20 kn ≈ 23.0 mph — and 20 kn = 37.04 km/h. The mph figure is shown under the result.