The kilometer per hour
The kilometer per hour (km/h) is the standard speed unit on road signs almost everywhere except the United States and the United Kingdom. To convert to meters per second, divide by 3.6 (since 1 km = 1000 m and 1 h = 3600 s).
Kilometers per hour to Knots Converter
1 km/h = 0.539957 kn
1 kilometer per hour equals 0.539957 knots. To convert kilometers per hour to knots, multiply the kilometer per hour value by 0.539957. For quick reference: 1 km/h = 0.539957 kn, 5 km/h = 2.69978 kn, 10 km/h = 5.39957 kn, 100 km/h = 53.9957 kn.
Formula
Knots = Kilometers per hour × 0.539957Quick
How to convert kilometers per hour to knots
Take your value
Start with your value in kilometers per hour.
Multiply by 0.539957
Multiply the kilometer per hour value by 0.539957. This is the exact conversion factor from kilometers per hour to knots.
Read the result
The product is your value in knots. For example, 5 km/h × 0.539957 = 2.69978 kn.
Conversion formula
The exact factor from kilometers per hour to knots is 0.539957.
Knots = Kilometers per hour × 0.539957
Kilometers per hour to Knots conversion table
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
| Kilometers per hour (km/h) | Knots (kn) |
|---|---|
| 1 km/h | 0.53996 kn |
| 2 km/h | 1.0799 kn |
| 3 km/h | 1.6199 kn |
| 4 km/h | 2.1598 kn |
| 5 km/h | 2.6998 kn |
| 6 km/h | 3.2397 kn |
| 7 km/h | 3.7797 kn |
| 8 km/h | 4.3197 kn |
| 9 km/h | 4.8596 kn |
| 10 km/h | 5.3996 kn |
| 12 km/h | 6.4795 kn |
| 15 km/h | 8.0994 kn |
| 18 km/h | 9.7192 kn |
| 20 km/h | 10.799 kn |
| 22 km/h | 11.879 kn |
| 25 km/h | 13.499 kn |
| 28 km/h | 15.119 kn |
| 30 km/h | 16.199 kn |
| 32 km/h | 17.279 kn |
| 35 km/h | 18.898 kn |
| 40 km/h | 21.598 kn |
| 45 km/h | 24.298 kn |
| 50 km/h | 26.998 kn |
| 55 km/h | 29.698 kn |
| 60 km/h | 32.397 kn |
| 65 km/h | 35.097 kn |
| 70 km/h | 37.797 kn |
| 75 km/h | 40.497 kn |
| 80 km/h | 43.197 kn |
| 85 km/h | 45.896 kn |
| 90 km/h | 48.596 kn |
| 95 km/h | 51.296 kn |
| 100 km/h | 53.996 kn |
| 110 km/h | 59.395 kn |
| 120 km/h | 64.795 kn |
| 130 km/h | 70.194 kn |
| 140 km/h | 75.594 kn |
| 150 km/h | 80.994 kn |
| 160 km/h | 86.393 kn |
| 180 km/h | 97.192 kn |
| 200 km/h | 107.99 kn |
| 220 km/h | 118.79 kn |
| 250 km/h | 134.99 kn |
| 280 km/h | 151.19 kn |
| 300 km/h | 161.99 kn |
| 350 km/h | 188.98 kn |
| 400 km/h | 215.98 kn |
| 500 km/h | 269.98 kn |
| 700 km/h | 377.97 kn |
| 1000 km/h | 539.96 kn |
Real-world reference
Urban speed limits are typically 50 km/h. Highway speed limits range from 100 to 130 km/h in most of Europe. In knots, that gives you: 1 km/h = 0.539957 kn, 10 km/h = 5.39957 kn, 100 km/h = 53.9957 kn.
Frequently asked questions
- How many knots are in 1 kilometer per hour?
- 1 kilometer per hour equals 0.539957 knots.
- How do I convert kilometers per hour to knots?
- Multiply the kilometer per hour value by 0.539957. So x km/h × 0.539957 = the equivalent in kn.
- What is 5 kilometers per hour in knots?
- 5 kilometers per hour equals 2.69978 knots.
- What is 10 kilometers per hour in knots?
- 10 kilometers per hour equals 5.39957 knots.
- What is 100 kilometers per hour in knots?
- 100 kilometers per hour equals 53.9957 knots.
- How do I convert back from knots to kilometers per hour?
- Multiply the knot value by 1.852. For example, 1 kn = 1.852 km/h.
- Is the kilometer per hour bigger than the knot?
- No. 1 kilometer per hour is smaller than 1 knot. It takes 1.852 kilometers per hour to equal 1 knot.
- Are these conversion factors exact?
- Yes. The factor of 0.539957 is derived directly from the SI definitions of kilometer per hour and knot.
About the kilometer per hour and the knot
The knot
The knot (kn) is one nautical mile per hour, or exactly 1852/3600 ≈ 0.5144 m/s. It is the standard speed unit in maritime and aviation use because it relates directly to latitude — one knot covers one minute of arc per hour. The name comes from the historical practice of measuring ship speed by counting knots passed on a line trailing behind the vessel.