Kilometers are commonly used to measure distances on land, but for sea and air navigation, nautical miles are the standard. Because of these different uses, you may need to convert kilometers to nautical miles at some point.
This article explains how to easily convert between the two, including formulas and tools you can use.
Defining kilometer and nautical mile
Before we dive into converting kilometers to nautical miles, let’s make sure we understand what each of these units of measurement represents.
What is a kilometer (km)?
A kilometer, abbreviated as km, is a unit of length in the metric system. Kilometers are commonly used to measure distances on land.
What is a nautical mile (M, NM, or nmi)?
A nautical mile (M, NM, or nmi) is a unit of length used in air and sea navigation. The length of a nautical mile is based on the Earth’s circumference.
The Conversion Formula
To convert kilometers to nautical miles, use this formula:
nautical miles = kilometers ÷ 1.852
The number 1.852 is vital for this conversion. By international agreement:
1 nautical mile = 1.852 kilometers
You can also say that 1 kilometer = 0.5399568035 nautical miles, but most people find the first formula easier to use.
Kilometers to nautical miles: a conversion example
Ready to try a conversion? Here’s how the math works:
- Let’s say you want to convert 25 kilometers to nautical miles.
- You’d divide 25 km by 1.852. So, 25 km ÷ 1.852 = 13.49892009 nautical miles.
Here’s another quick example: To convert 15 km to nautical miles, you’d perform the following calculation: 15 km ÷ 1.852 = 8.0993520518 nautical miles.
As you can see, converting from kilometers to nautical miles is a simple math calculation.
Kilometers to Nautical Miles: A Quick Conversion Table
Need a quick conversion? Here’s a short reference table. Keep in mind that these are rounded for simplicity. More detailed and extensive tables can be found with a quick search online.
- 1 kilometer = 0.54 nautical miles
- 10 kilometers = 5.4 nautical miles
- 50 kilometers = 27 nautical miles
These conversions are based on the international nautical mile definition.
Conclusion
Converting kilometers to nautical miles is straightforward. Using the formula—nautical miles = kilometers / 1.852—is key. For quick calculations, online calculators and conversion tables are readily available.
Whether you’re a sailor, pilot, or just curious, understanding this conversion is essential for navigation and related fields.