Convert Knots to Meters per Second (kn to m/s)
1 knot (kn) = 0.5144444444 meters per second (m/s). 1 m/s = 1.943844492 kn. Example: 15 kn = 15 × 0.5144444444 = 7.716666667 m/s.
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1 kn = 0.5144444444 m/s
Type in either box. Scientific notation works: 1.5e-3.
Converting a list? Use the bulk knot to meter per second converter to paste a column from Excel.
How to Convert Knot to Meter per Second (Speed)
- 1 kn = 0.5144444444 m/s
- 1 m/s = 1.943844492 kn
- Example: convert 15 kn to m/s: 15 kn = 15 × 0.5144444444 m/s = 7.716666667 m/s
Formula
m/s = kn × 0.5144444444444
or m/s = kn ÷ 1.943844492441
Derivation from SI units:
- 1 knot = 1 nautical mile (1852 m) per hour = 0.514444… m/s.
- The SI unit of speed: one metre travelled per second.
Both units are defined exactly, so the factor is exact. Knot definition: knot; Meter per Second (Speed) definition: meter per second.
Worked examples
- A reading of 15 kn converts to 7.716666667 m/s.
15 kn × 0.5144444444 = 7.716666667 m/s - A value of 50 kn is 25.72222222 m/s.
50 kn × 0.5144444444 = 25.72222222 m/s
Knot to Meter per Second (Speed) conversion table
| Knots (kn) | Meters per Second (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 0.5144444444 m/s |
| 5 kn | 2.572222222 m/s |
| 10 kn | 5.144444444 m/s |
| 15 kn | 7.716666667 m/s |
| 20 kn | 10.28888889 m/s |
| 25 kn | 12.86111111 m/s |
| 30 kn | 15.43333333 m/s |
| 50 kn | 25.72222222 m/s |
| 100 kn | 51.44444444 m/s |
| 250 kn | 128.6111111 m/s |
| 500 kn | 257.2222222 m/s |
Where it's used
Knots are used for aviation and marine navigation, while meters per second appear in physics problems and science classes. Both measure speed (distance per time), so the conversion is a fixed factor.
Knot to other speed units
| Conversion | 1 kn equals |
|---|---|
| knot to meter per second | 0.5144444444 m/s |
| knot to kilometer per hour | 1.852 km/h |
| knot to mile per hour | 1.150779448 mph |
| knot to foot per second | 1.687809857 ft/s |
Frequently asked questions
How many meters per second are in 1 knot?
1 kn = 0.5144444444 m/s.
How do I convert knots to meters per second?
Multiply the value in kn by 0.5144444444, or divide it by 1.943844492. For example, 15 kn × 0.5144444444 = 7.716666667 m/s.
Is the kn to m/s conversion exact?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly, so the ratio is exact; its decimal form does not terminate and is shown here to 10 significant figures (more with the precision selector).
Sources
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures , Table 4 (radian) and Table 8 (non-SI units accepted for use with the SI).
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Convert Knots to Meters per Second (kn to m/s). Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/speed/knots-to-meters-per-second/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Convert Knots to Meters per Second (kn to m/s)," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/speed/knots-to-meters-per-second/