Kilometers are convenient for measuring distances on land, but when you’re out on the water or up in the air, nautical miles become the standard. So, how do you convert from km to nautical miles?
This article will explain how to convert kilometers to nautical miles. We’ll cover the formula and show you real-world examples.
Understanding kilometers and nautical miles
Both kilometers and nautical miles are units of measure, but they’re used in different situations.
What is a kilometer (km)?
A kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system. You’ll often see distances on land measured in kilometers.
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.
Historically, a nautical mile was related to the Earth’s circumference, with one nautical mile equal to one minute of latitude along any meridian.
The Conversion Formula
To convert kilometers to nautical miles, you’ll use this formula:
Nautical miles = Kilometers ÷ 1.852
They are inversely related, meaning that one kilometer equals 0.5399568035 nautical miles. To put it another way, one nautical mile equals 1.852 kilometers.
Kilometers to Nautical Miles: A Worked Example
Let’s convert 25 kilometers to nautical miles.
Remember, the formula is: kilometers ÷ 1.852 = nautical miles.
So, 25 km ÷ 1.852 = 13.49892009 nautical miles. That’s how it’s done!
One more example: 15 km ÷ 1.852 = 8.0993520518 nautical miles.
Kilometers to Nautical Miles Conversion Table
Sometimes you just need a quick answer. That’s where a conversion table comes in handy.
Here are some common kilometer to nautical mile conversions:
- 0.01 km = 0.005399568 nautical miles
- 0.1 km = 0.0539956803 nautical miles
- 1 km = 0.5399568035 nautical miles
- 5 km = 2.6997840173 nautical miles
- 10 km = 5.3995680346 nautical miles
- 20 km = 10.7991360691 nautical miles
- 50 km = 26.9978401728 nautical miles
Keep in mind that more extensive tables exist, offering a wider range of conversions for more precise calculations.
Putting It All Together
Converting kilometers to nautical miles is easy once you remember the formula: km ÷ 1.852. Just divide the number of kilometers by 1.852, and you’ll have your answer in nautical miles.
Understanding kilometers and nautical miles is especially important in fields like aviation and maritime navigation. If you work in one of those fields, or you just need to convert km to nautical miles, use the formula or a conversion table to ensure an accurate result.