Convert nautical miles to kilometers

Precise decimal and fraction answers

The conversion in kilometers rounded to six significant decimal places is 1 nmi = 1.852000 km. The precise fraction answer is 1 ²¹³/₂₅₀ km.

How many kilometers are in a nautical mile?

There are 1.852 kilometers in one nautical mile. A nautical mile is 1.852 times longer than a kilometer. A kilometer is 54.00% of a nautical mile

Nautical miles to kilometers conversion factor and formulas

The conversion factor between nautical miles and kilometers is 1.852. This represents the ratio of kilometers per one nautical mile. To calculate the value in kilometers, we can either multiply by the conversion factor or divide by its inverse.

Multiplication

To convert from nautical miles to kilometers, multiply nautical miles by 1.852.
The formula is expressed as:
nmi × 1.852 = km

Division

Alternatively we can divide by the inverse conversion factor to get the same result.
The inverse of 1.852 is 1/1.852 or 0.54. To convert from nautical miles to kilometers, divide nautical miles by 0.54.
The formula is expressed as:
nmi ÷ 0.54 = km

About this conversion

Converting nautical miles to kilometers is a conversion between units from separate unit systems - nautical miles are International Hydrographic defined units while kilometers are metric (SI) .

About Nautical miles

The nautical mile is a distance measurement, usually between two geographic points. It is officially defined as being equal to 1,852 meters. The nautical mile, or international nautical mile can be found abbreviated as either M, NM, nmi or nm. Historically the nautical mile was defined as 1/16th of a degree of the earth's latitude. Given this correlation with latitude and longitude, the nautical mile has closely been associated with measurements for navigation. This tradition continues to this day as it remains the unit used to measure distance by the maritime and aviation industries. The prevalent unit of speed over water and air is the knot (nautical miles per hour).

About Kilometers

Within the SI (metric) system of measurement, the kilometer is officially defined as being equal to 1,000 meters. It is commonly used as measurement for geographic distances in similar circumstances where a mile would be used in the U.S. Internationally it is spelled 'kilometre' whereas the U.S. spells it 'kilometer'. The symbol for a kilometer is km however k is sometimes used.

Reverse this conversion

Convert from kilometers to nautical miles instead.

References and Citations

1. International Hydrographic Organization Resolutions of the International Hydrographic Organization
2. International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) The International System of Units (SI)