A nautical mile is a unit of distance used in maritime and aviation navigation. It is defined as exactly 1,852 metres, which corresponds to one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian. This converter works in both directions — nautical miles to kilometres and kilometres to nautical miles.

1. Select the conversion direction.
2. Enter the distance value.
3. Click Convert to see the result.

100 nautical miles = 185.2 km = 115.08 statute miles = 185,200 metres

The nautical mile is the standard unit of distance in international maritime and aviation navigation. Charts, weather reports and navigation systems use nautical miles. Speed at sea is measured in knots (nautical miles per hour). One degree of latitude = 60 nautical miles.

• Confusing nautical miles with statute (land) miles — 1 nautical mile ≈ 1.15 statute miles.
• Confusing nautical miles with kilometres — 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km, not 1 km.

Why is a nautical mile 1,852 metres?

A nautical mile is defined as one minute of arc of latitude (1/60 of a degree). The Earth's circumference through the poles is approximately 40,008 km, giving 360 × 60 = 21,600 nautical miles, or about 1,852 metres each.

What is the difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile?

1 nautical mile = 1,852 metres. 1 statute mile = 1,609.344 metres. Nautical miles are used in maritime and aviation; statute miles are used on land in the US and UK.