Kilometers per Hour to Knots Converter
Enter the speed in kilometers per hour below to convert it to knots.
Convert Kilometers per Hour to Knots
Enter a value in kilometers per hour (km/h) to convert to knots (kn).
Kilometers per Hour to Knot Conversion Table
Table showing various kilometers per hour measurements converted to knots. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
| Kilometers per Hour (km/h) | Knots (kn) |
|---|---|
| 1 km/h | 0.5399568 kn |
| 2 km/h | 1.0799136 kn |
| 2.5 km/h | 1.349892 kn |
| 5 km/h | 2.699784 kn |
| 10 km/h | 5.399568 kn |
| 15 km/h | 8.0993521 kn |
| 20 km/h | 10.7991361 kn |
| 25 km/h | 13.4989201 kn |
| 30 km/h | 16.1987041 kn |
| 50 km/h | 26.9978402 kn |
How to Convert Kilometers per Hour to Knots
To convert kilometers per hour to knots, multiply the speed by the following conversion ratio: 0.5399568 knots/kilometers per hour.
Since one kilometers per hour is equal to 0.5399568 knots, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The speed in knots is equal to the speed in kilometers per hour multiplied by 0.5399568.
For example, here's how to convert 5 kilometers per hour to knots using the formula above.
How Many Knots Are in a Kilometers per Hour?
There are 0.5399568 knots in a kilometers per hour, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our kilometers per hour to knot calculator automatically converts your speed measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Kilometers per Hour and knots are both units used to measure speed. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Kilometers per Hour?
A kilometers per hour is a unit of speed equal to 0.2777778 meters per second (m/s), the base unit for speed. Standard metric road speed unit (1 m/s = 3.6 km/h). [1]
The kilometers per hour is classified as a metric and SI-compatible unit of speed. Kilometers per Hour can be abbreviated as km/h; for example, 1 kilometers per hour can be written as 1 km/h.
In the metric system, "kilo" is the standard SI prefix for thousands, or 10³. This makes the kilometers per hour (km/h) a convenient decimal multiple of the meters per second (m/s).
In practice, kilometers per hour (km/h) are widely used across standard speed applications within SI metric workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Knot?
A knot is a unit of speed equal to 0.5144444 meters per second (m/s), the base unit for speed. One nautical mile per hour (1.852 km/h = 0.514444 m/s). [2]
The knot is classified as a standard unit of speed. Knots can be abbreviated as kn; for example, 1 knot can be written as 1 kn.
When working with knots (kn) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, knots (kn) are widely used across standard speed applications within international standard workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting speed between kilometers per hour (km/h) and knots (kn), keep full floating-point precision (1 km/h = 0.5399568 kn; 1 kn = 1.852 km/h) during intermediate calculations and round only the final knot figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Kilometers per Hour & Knot Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our knots to kilometers per hour converter (kn to km/h) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting miles per hour to knots, converting kilometers per hour to miles per hour, or converting kilometers per hour to meters per second.
Convert from Kilometers per Hour
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST SP 811 StandardNIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9 (Velocity))·Speed Metrology Standard — Kilometers per Hour (km/h) to Knots (kn)
- [2]NIST OWM SpecificationNIST OWM (SI Units — Length & Distance)·Unit Specifications: Kilometers per Hour (km/h) & Knot (kn)
- [3]NIST CUU ReferenceNIST CUU (SI Coherent Derived Units (m/s))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (km/h to kn)