Convert Kilometer/Hour (km/h) to Knot (UK) (kt (UK)) instantly.
About these units
Kilometer/Hour (km/h)
The kilometer per hour is a widely used everyday speed unit, especially in transportation. Most countries use km/h for automobile speed limits, train speeds, and vehicle specifications because it aligns naturally with metric distances. Although less mathematically convenient than m/s, km/h provides a human-friendly scale: speeds of 30–120 km/h correspond well to familiar travel activities. Converting between the two units is straightforward (1 m/s = 3.6 km/h), allowing scientists to work in m/s while communicating results in km/h. The use of km/h reflects society's need for intuitive, coarse-grained measurements while maintaining compatibility with scientific standards. Its ubiquity makes it one of the world's most recognized speed measures.
Knot (UK) (kt (UK))
The UK knot historically varied slightly from the international knot because the UK used different values for the nautical mile depending on era and maritime authority. Though the differences were minor, they mattered in navigation, where precision affects charting, dead reckoning, and ocean voyaging. Modern UK practice fully aligns with the international knot (1 nautical mile per hour), but historical documents and charts may reference older UK knot values. The knot's rich maritime heritage—used by sailors measuring speed with knotted ropes dragged along the water—makes it one of the oldest continuously used speed units.