Enter any 2 values (distance, speed, or time) into the nautical mile calculator to calculate the missing variable. You can work in nautical miles, miles, or kilometers for distance, and in knots, mph, or km/h for speed. The ETA tab can also estimate an arrival time from departure, distance, and speed.

Nautical Mile Calculator (Distance = Speed × Time)

Pick a tab and fill the two fields — we’ll do the rest.

Travel Time
Distance
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Enter a distance.
Enter a speed greater than zero.
Enter a speed greater than zero.
Enter a time.
Enter a value.

Nautical Mile Formula

The following relationships can be used to convert between nautical miles, statute miles, and kilometers.

1~\text{NM} = 1.15078~\text{mi}
  • Where NM is a nautical mile
  • mi is a statute mile (mile)
1~\text{NM} = 1.852~\text{km}
  • Where NM is a nautical mile
  • km is kilometres

To calculate nautical miles from statute miles, divide the miles by 1.15078 (equivalently, multiply by 0.868976).

Nautical Mile Definition

A nautical mile is a unit of distance used in marine and air navigation. It is defined as exactly 1,852 meters (1.852 km), which is approximately one minute of latitude (one minute of arc along a meridian). This is about 1.15078 statute miles.

A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, so traveling at 1 knot for 1 hour covers 1 nautical mile.

Both knots and nautical miles are commonly used in maritime navigation and aviation. Since ships and aircraft travel great distances, using standard units tied to Earth-based navigation helps standardize distance and speed measurements.

Nautical Mile Example

How to calculate a nautical mile?

  1. First, measure the direct distance.

    Measure the direct distance in miles or kilometers.

  2. Next, convert to nautical miles.

    Using the formulas above, calculate the nautical miles.

FAQ