Miles per Hour to Knots Converter

Relationship Between Miles per Hour and Knots

The conversion between miles per hour (mph) and knots (kn) is based on the relationship where 1 mile per hour equals approximately 0.868976 knots.

1 kn = 1.15078 mph

Therefore,

1 mph = 1/1.15078 kn ≈ 0.868976 kn

To convert miles per hour to knots, we divide the value in mph by 1.15078.

For example, 11.51 mph equals approximately 10 kn, and 34.52 mph equals approximately 30 kn.

Mile per Hour (mph)

What is a Mile per Hour (mph)?

Mile per hour (symbol: mph) is a unit of speed in the imperial and US customary systems, expressing the number of miles traveled in one hour. It is the standard unit for measuring vehicle speeds in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries.

Origin

The mile per hour has been used for centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries. It originated with the imperial system and became the standard speed measurement for transportation as automobiles became common in the early 20th century. Despite global metrication, mph remains the legal standard for road speeds in the US and UK.

Current Use

Miles per hour is primarily used in the United States and United Kingdom for road speed limits, vehicle speedometers, and traffic regulations. It's also used in some Commonwealth countries and in certain industries worldwide, particularly aviation (nautical miles per hour for airspeed). Common speed limits include 30 mph in residential areas, 55-70 mph on highways, and various limits for different road types.

Knot (kn)

What is a Knot (kn)?

A knot (symbol: kn) is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. It is commonly used in maritime and aviation contexts for measuring the speed of ships, aircraft, and wind speeds.

History and Origin

The term 'knot' dates back to the 17th century when sailors measured the speed of a ship by using a 'common log', a rope with knots tied at regular intervals. The rope was thrown overboard, and the number of knots that passed through a sailor's hands in a specific time period indicated the ship's speed. The nautical mile was standardized as 1,852 meters (approximately 6,076 feet) in 1929, and this remains the international standard.

Current Use

• Maritime navigation: Standard unit for ship and boat speeds
• Aviation: Used for aircraft airspeed, especially in general aviation and meteorology
• Weather reports: Wind speeds, especially in marine weather forecasts
• Sailing: Racing and recreational sailing speed measurements
• Marine law: Used in international maritime regulations

Mile per Hour to Knots Conversion Table

The conversion of miles per hour to knots for certain values are provided below: