What does the term knot measure?

• A. One nautical mile per hour (approximately 1.151 mph)
• B. One mile per hour
• C. One kilometer per hour
• D. The speed of sound

Answer: (A)

A knot measures speed as one nautical mile traveled per hour. A nautical mile is defined by Earth’s geometry as 1 minute of latitude, which is exactly 1852 meters or about 6076 feet. Therefore, 1 knot equals 1 nautical mile per hour, which is about 1.15078 statute miles per hour (roughly 1.151 mph). This unit is used in aviation and maritime navigation because it aligns with the way distances are measured on charts and across the globe, making it convenient for plotting courses. It’s not the same as a statute mile per hour, nor a kilometer per hour, and it has nothing to do with the speed of sound.