Knot (kn)
The knot is a unit of speed, used for maritime navigation, aviation airspeed, and meteorological wind reporting. Its symbol is kn.
kn
mph
1 knot equals
| Miles per Hour | 1.15078 mph |
| Kilometers per Hour | 1.852 km/h |
| Meters per Second | 0.514444 m/s |
About the knot
The knot originated from the practice of measuring ship speed by counting knots on a rope paid out over a fixed time. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour.
In everyday use the knot appears in maritime navigation, aviation airspeed, and meteorological wind reporting. As a point of reference: a typical commercial aircraft cruises at about 450 to 500 knots.