1 kn = 0.514444 m/s
1 knot equals 0.514444 meters per second. To convert knots to meters per second, multiply the knot value by 0.514444. For quick reference: 1 kn = 0.514444 m/s, 5 kn = 2.57222 m/s, 10 kn = 5.14444 m/s, 100 kn = 51.4444 m/s.
Meters per second = Knots × 0.514444Start with your value in knots.
Multiply the knot value by 0.514444. This is the exact conversion factor from knots to meters per second.
The product is your value in meters per second. For example, 5 kn × 0.514444 = 2.57222 m/s.
The exact factor from knots to meters per second is 0.514444.
Meters per second = Knots × 0.514444
Fifty common reference values, hand-picked for skim utility. Use the calculator above for any value not listed.
| Knots (kn) | Meters per second (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 0.51444 m/s |
| 2 kn | 1.0289 m/s |
| 3 kn | 1.5433 m/s |
| 4 kn | 2.0578 m/s |
| 5 kn | 2.5722 m/s |
| 6 kn | 3.0867 m/s |
| 7 kn | 3.6011 m/s |
| 8 kn | 4.1156 m/s |
| 9 kn | 4.63 m/s |
| 10 kn | 5.1444 m/s |
| 12 kn | 6.1733 m/s |
| 15 kn | 7.7167 m/s |
| 18 kn | 9.26 m/s |
| 20 kn | 10.289 m/s |
| 22 kn | 11.318 m/s |
| 25 kn | 12.861 m/s |
| 28 kn | 14.404 m/s |
| 30 kn | 15.433 m/s |
| 32 kn | 16.462 m/s |
| 35 kn | 18.006 m/s |
| 40 kn | 20.578 m/s |
| 45 kn | 23.15 m/s |
| 50 kn | 25.722 m/s |
| 55 kn | 28.294 m/s |
| 60 kn | 30.867 m/s |
| 65 kn | 33.439 m/s |
| 70 kn | 36.011 m/s |
| 75 kn | 38.583 m/s |
| 80 kn | 41.156 m/s |
| 85 kn | 43.728 m/s |
| 90 kn | 46.3 m/s |
| 95 kn | 48.872 m/s |
| 100 kn | 51.444 m/s |
| 110 kn | 56.589 m/s |
| 120 kn | 61.733 m/s |
| 130 kn | 66.878 m/s |
| 140 kn | 72.022 m/s |
| 150 kn | 77.167 m/s |
| 160 kn | 82.311 m/s |
| 180 kn | 92.6 m/s |
| 200 kn | 102.89 m/s |
| 220 kn | 113.18 m/s |
| 250 kn | 128.61 m/s |
| 280 kn | 144.04 m/s |
| 300 kn | 154.33 m/s |
| 350 kn | 180.06 m/s |
| 400 kn | 205.78 m/s |
| 500 kn | 257.22 m/s |
| 700 kn | 360.11 m/s |
| 1000 kn | 514.44 m/s |
A cruise ship typically travels at 20–25 kn. A commercial airliner cruises at about 480 kn. In meters per second, that gives you: 1 kn = 0.514444 m/s, 10 kn = 5.14444 m/s, 100 kn = 51.4444 m/s.
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.
The meter per second (m/s) is the SI derived unit of speed. It is the preferred unit in physics, engineering, and any scientific context. The speed of light in vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 m/s, which is how the meter itself is now defined.