Kilometers ↔ Nautical Miles Converter
Convert between kilometers and nautical miles instantly
📚 Kilometers ↔ Nautical Miles Conversion Details
Kilometers to Nautical Miles Formula
To convert kilometers to nautical miles, multiply kilometers by 0.539957.
Nautical Miles to Kilometers Formula
To convert nautical miles to kilometers, multiply nautical miles by 1.852.
Bidirectional Conversion
This converter works both ways simultaneously:
- Type in kilometers → nautical miles updates automatically
- Type in nautical miles → kilometers updates automatically
- No buttons to click - works as you type
Common Uses
- Marine navigation
- Aviation distance planning
- Oceanic shipping routes
- Flight planning
📏 How This Converter Works
This is a bidirectional converter that works in real-time:
- Kilometers → Nautical Miles: When you type in the kilometers field, the nautical miles field automatically updates
- Nautical Miles → Kilometers: When you type in the nautical miles field, the kilometers field automatically updates
- No swapping needed: Both conversions happen simultaneously
- Real-time: Updates happen as you type, no button clicks required
nautical miles = kilometers × 0.539957
kilometers = nautical miles × 1.852
// Example 1: Type "100" in kilometers
nautical miles = 100 × 0.539957 = 53.9957
// Example 2: Type "50" in nautical miles
kilometers = 50 × 1.852 = 92.6
📊 Conversion Table
| Kilometers | Nautical Miles | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 0.539957 nm | Small distance |
| 10 km | 5.39957 nm | Coastal navigation |
| 100 km | 53.9957 nm | Regional flights |
| 500 km | 269.978 nm | Medium flights |
| 1,000 km | 539.957 nm | Long flights |
| 1,852 km | 1,000 nm | Exact conversion |
🎯 About Nautical Miles
A nautical mile is a unit of measurement used in marine and air navigation. It's based on the circumference of the Earth and is equal to one minute of latitude.
- Definition: 1 nautical mile = 1,852 meters exactly
- History: Originally based on the length of one minute of arc along a meridian
- Usage: Primarily used in maritime and aviation contexts
- International Standard: Adopted by the International Hydrographic Organization in 1929
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A: One nautical mile is exactly 1.852 kilometers.
A: Nautical miles are used in marine and aviation navigation because they correspond to one minute of latitude, making chart reading and navigation calculations easier.
A: Yes, a nautical mile (1.852 km) is longer than a statute mile (1.609 km).
A: This converter uses the exact conversion factor of 1 nm = 1.852 km, providing calculations up to 4 decimal places.