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Convert Knot to Meter/second

Please provide values below to convert knot [kt, kn] to meter/second [m/s], or vice versa.

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Knot

Definition: A knot (symbol: kn or kt) is a non-SI unit of speed at sea. It is defined as one nautical mile per hour, where a nautical mile is 1,852 meters. A knot is equal to 1.852 kilometers per hour and 1.15078 miles per hour.

History/origin: The term "knot" is derived from its former use as a measure on the log lines on ship logs (a navigation tool) which were used to measure ship speed through water. Knots would be tied into the rope on these lines at uniform intervals of approximately 47 feet, or 14.3 meters long.

The knot has had various definitions throughout history. The United States and United Kingdom in particular used their own specific nautical miles up until 1954 and 1970 respectively. The US nautical mile is defined as 1,853.248 m while the UK Admiralty nautical mile is equal to 1853.184 m, compared to the international nautical mile of 1,852 m.

Current use: The knot is used worldwide in meteorology as well as in maritime and air navigation as a measure of speed of a vessel relative to the fluids in which they travel. Tidal streams, river currents, and wind speeds are also measured using knots.

Meter per second

Definition: A meter per second (symbol: m/s) is an SI (International System of Units) derived unit of speed and velocity. It is defined as the distance traveled in meters divided by the amount of time taken in seconds. It is equal to exactly 3.6 kilometers per hour, approximately 3.2808 feet per second, and approximately 2.2369 miles per hour.

History/origin: The meter per second is a unit that was derived based on the SI units of meters and seconds. The unit benz, named after Karl Benz, a German engine designer and automobile engineer (and founder of the company that would eventually merge and produce the Mercedez-Benz line of automobiles) has been proposed as a named for one meter per second. Although this unit has seen some support, particularly in Germany, the unit benz was rejected as the SI unit of velocity.

Current use: As the SI derived unit of speed and velocity, the meter per second and its multiples are used widely within scientific contexts. The kilometer per second is also used when meters per second is too slow a measurement, such as in astronomical measurements and higher velocities. The kilometer per hour, and in some countries the mile per hour, are the preferred measurement of road speed.



Knot to Meter/second Conversion Table

Knot [kt, Kn]Meter/second [m/s]
0.01 kt, kn0.0051444444 m/s
0.1 kt, kn0.0514444444 m/s
1 kt, kn0.5144444444 m/s
2 kt, kn1.0288888889 m/s
3 kt, kn1.5433333333 m/s
5 kt, kn2.5722222222 m/s
10 kt, kn5.1444444444 m/s
20 kt, kn10.2888888889 m/s
50 kt, kn25.7222222222 m/s
100 kt, kn51.4444444444 m/s
1000 kt, kn514.4444444444 m/s


How to Convert Knot to Meter/second

1 kt, kn = 0.5144444444 m/s
1 m/s = 1.9438444924 kt, kn

Example: convert 15 kt, kn to m/s:
15 kt, kn = 15 × 0.5144444444 m/s = 7.7166666667 m/s



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