Nautical Miles to Kilometers

About Nautical Miles to Km Conversion

The nautical mile is the standard unit for maritime and aviation distances worldwide. Based on Earth's geography rather than arbitrary standards, it provides a practical navigation unit that converts directly to latitude.

Why Nautical Miles Exist

• Navigation — 1 nautical mile = 1 minute of latitude, simplifying chart reading
• Maritime law — Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from shore
• Aviation — Aircraft distances and speeds use nautical miles and knots
• International standards — Ships and planes worldwide use the same unit

The Conversion

One nautical mile equals exactly 1.852 kilometers. This was standardized internationally in 1929.

Speed: Knots

The knot (nautical miles per hour) is the speed unit for ships and aircraft. 1 knot = 1.852 km/h. A commercial jet cruising at 500 knots travels at about 926 km/h.

How to Convert Nautical Miles to Km

Using This Tool

1. Enter nautical miles in the top field
2. Read kilometers appearing below
3. Copy the result for navigation planning

Maritime Zones

International maritime boundaries:

• Territorial waters (12 nmi) = 22.2 km from shore
• Contiguous zone (24 nmi) = 44.4 km
• Exclusive economic zone (200 nmi) = 370.4 km

Sailing Distances

Common voyage lengths:

• 50 nmi = 92.6 km (day sail)
• 200 nmi = 370 km (weekend passage)
• 1,000 nmi = 1,852 km (offshore passage)
• 3,000 nmi = 5,556 km (transatlantic crossing)

The Formula

km = nautical miles × 1.852. For rough estimates, multiply by 2 and subtract 10% (gives ~1.8).

Features

Maritime Reference

The quick reference shows common sailing and aviation distances. Understand territorial limits and voyage lengths at a glance.

Precise Navigation

Results accurate to 8 decimal places for GPS and chart plotting applications.

Two-Way Conversion

Convert km to nautical miles by entering in the bottom field. Useful when flight booking sites show km but you think in nautical terms.

Marine Friendly

• Works on mobile — Use aboard when planning routes
• Offline capable — Functions at sea after initial load
• No account needed — Instant access

Copy Function

Copy values for chart plotters, navigation software, or log entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is 12 nautical miles in km?

12 nautical miles = 22.224 km. This is the standard territorial waters limit recognized by international law (UNCLOS).

Why do ships and planes use nautical miles?

Nautical miles relate directly to Earth's coordinates: 1 nautical mile = 1 minute of latitude. This makes dead reckoning and chart navigation simpler than using kilometers.

What is a knot?

A knot is one nautical mile per hour. The name comes from the historical method of measuring ship speed by counting knots on a rope paid out over time. 1 knot = 1.852 km/h.

Is a nautical mile longer than a regular mile?

Yes. A nautical mile is 1.852 km, while a statute (land) mile is 1.609 km. A nautical mile is about 15% longer.

How far is the exclusive economic zone?

Countries can claim exclusive economic rights up to 200 nautical miles (370.4 km) from their coast under UNCLOS. This affects fishing rights and resource extraction.