Nautical Miles to Miles Converter

How to Convert Nautical Miles to Miles

Use the calculator above to convert nautical miles to miles instantly. This converter helps you easily convert between these two units, whether you’re planning a voyage or studying maritime charts.

To convert, multiply the value by 1.15078. For example, 10 nmi equals approximately 11.51 mi. The conversion works both ways — enter a value in either field and see the result automatically.

What Is a Nautical Mile?

A nautical mile is a unit of length used primarily in maritime navigation. One nautical mile equals one minute of latitude along any meridian, which makes the nautical mile particularly useful for sailors to measure distances at sea.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defined the nautical mile as exactly 1852 meters. This definition of the nautical mile takes into account the curvature of the earth’s surface, making the nautical mile ideal for long-distance travel at sea and in aviation.

Nautical Mile vs Land Mile

The two units serve different purposes. A land mile (also called statute mile) is commonly used in the United States for everyday distances. The nmi is longer — approximately 1.15 land miles or 1852 meters.

The standard mile used on roads equals 5,280 feet or 1,609 meters, while the nmi is based on the earth’s coordinate system. This is why maritime and air travel industries prefer the nmi.

Nautical Miles to Miles Conversion Table

Conversion Formulas

Nmi to Miles Formula

Miles = Nautical Miles × 1.15078

Example: 50 nmi = 57.54 miles

Convert Miles to Nautical Miles

Nautical Miles = Miles × 0.86898

Example: 100 miles = 86.90 nmi

Nmi to Metric Units

For kilometers, 1 nmi equals 1.852 km or 1852 meters exactly.

Why Nautical Miles Are Used

The nmi originated from the need to measure distances at sea using the earth’s coordinate system. Since 1 minute of arc equals 1 nmi, navigators could easily calculate distances directly from their charts without complex unit conversion.

Today, this unit remains the standard in maritime and air contexts. Shipping routes, territorial waters, and flight distances are all measured in nm. The related speed unit, the knot, equals 1 nmi per hour.

Common Uses

• Maritime navigation and voyage planning
• Flight distances
• Territorial waters measurement (typically 12 nmi from shore)
• Weather forecasting for marine areas
• Search and rescue operations

Miles Conversion Tips

When converting from nautical miles to land miles, remember that the nautical mile is always the larger unit. A quick estimate: use a factor of 1.15 for approximate results. For precise nautical mile calculations, use our online calculator.

The nautical mile is part of the customary system used at sea, while the metric system uses kilometers. Both are widely used depending on region.