Nautical Miles Converter
Convert between nautical miles, statute miles, and kilometers. Also calculates travel time at a given speed.
Results
What is it?
A nautical mile (NM) is defined as exactly 1,852 metres, corresponding to one arcminute of latitude along any meridian. This makes it the natural unit for navigation — a chart latitude scale directly gives nautical miles. 1 NM = 1.15078 statute miles = 1.852 km. Knots are nautical miles per hour.
How to use
1. Enter the distance value. 2. Select what unit that distance is in (NM, statute miles, or kilometers). 3. Enter your speed in knots for the travel time calculation. 4. All three distance equivalents and estimated travel time are shown instantly.
Example scenario
A flight plan shows 450 km direct distance. Select Kilometers, enter 450. Result: 450 km = 243 NM = 280 statute miles. At 120 kts groundspeed, ETE = 243/120 x 60 = 121.5 minutes (about 2 hours 1 minute).
Pro tip
For quick mental conversion: NM x 1.15 = statute miles; NM x 1.85 = km. Going the other way: km divided by 1.85 = NM; statute miles divided by 1.15 = NM. Pilots use the rule that 1 degree of latitude = 60 NM, so crossing 5 degrees of latitude means roughly 300 NM flown along a meridian.