Nautical Miles Converter
This nautical miles converter changes nautical miles to kilometres, statute miles and metres, and back.
The result updates as you type or change units.
For general informational use. Verify critical aviation calculations and weather with an authoritative source.
Related guides
- Nautical Miles and Knots: where the nautical mile comes from and the common conversion mistakes
- Time, Speed and Distance: E6B Basics: using nautical miles and knots in flight planning
Nautical miles reference table
1 nautical mile = 1,852 m exactly = about 1.151 statute miles. Distances on aeronautical charts, in flight plans and from ATC are in nautical miles; road distances and US visibility reports use statute miles.
| Nautical miles | Kilometres | Statute miles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 5 | 9.3 | 5.8 |
| 10 | 18.5 | 11.5 |
| 25 | 46.3 | 28.8 |
| 50 | 92.6 | 57.5 |
| 100 | 185.2 | 115.1 |
| 250 | 463.0 | 287.7 |
| 500 | 926.0 | 575.4 |
Where each unit shows up
- Nautical miles: route and leg distances, DME, holding leg lengths, ATC separation.
- Statute miles: visibility in US METARs and TAFs (for example 4SM), and VFR visibility minimums in the US.
- Kilometres and metres: visibility in most other countries’ METARs (for example 9999 for 10 km or more), and runway lengths outside the US.
A knot is one nautical mile per hour, so the same factors convert speeds. Why aviation chose this unit is explained in Nautical Miles and Knots.
Convert nautical miles, kilometres and statute miles
Nautical miles are used in aviation and marine navigation, while road and everyday distances are usually given in kilometres or statute miles. This converter gives you a fast way to move between those systems without manually remembering several factors.
How to use it
- Enter the distance you want to convert.
- Choose the starting unit.
- Choose the destination unit.
- Read the result with the destination-unit abbreviation shown next to the number.
Method and calculation
The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 metres. From that definition, one nautical mile equals exactly 1.852 kilometres and approximately 1.15078 statute miles. The calculator converts through a consistent base unit so conversions work in either direction.
Worked example and practical notes
A distance of 100 NM is exactly 185.2 km. This kind of quick comparison is useful when an aviation route is stated in nautical miles but a traveller or map uses kilometres.
For flight planning or navigation, use the units and approved data required by the relevant operational system.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Frequently asked questions
How long is one nautical mile?
One international nautical mile is exactly 1,852 metres.
How many kilometres are in one nautical mile?
One nautical mile equals exactly 1.852 kilometres.
Are nautical miles used only in aviation?
No. Nautical miles are also widely used in marine navigation.
What is the difference between NM and a statute mile?
A nautical mile is longer than a statute mile and is defined as 1,852 metres.