20 knots is equal to approximately 10.288 meters per second.
Knots measure speed at sea or air, and converting them to meters per second involves multiplying the knot value by the exact number of meters in one nautical mile divided by seconds in one hour. This explains the conversion from 20 knots to meters per second.
Conversion Tool
Result in meters:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert knots to meters per second is:
meters per second = knots × (1852 meters ÷ 3600 seconds)
This formula works because one knot equals one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is exactly 1852 meters, and since 1 hour has 3600 seconds, dividing 1852 by 3600 converts hours to seconds, giving the speed in meters per second.
Example: For 20 knots
- Multiply 20 knots by 1852 meters: 20 × 1852 = 37040 meters per hour
- Divide by 3600 seconds: 37040 ÷ 3600 = 10.2889 meters per second
Conversion Example
- Convert 15 knots to meters per second:
- 15 × 1852 = 27780 meters per hour
- 27780 ÷ 3600 = 7.7167 meters per second
- Convert 30 knots:
- 30 × 1852 = 55560 meters per hour
- 55560 ÷ 3600 = 15.4333 meters per second
- Convert 5 knots:
- 5 × 1852 = 9260 meters per hour
- 9260 ÷ 3600 = 2.5722 meters per second
- Convert 50 knots:
- 50 × 1852 = 92600 meters per hour
- 92600 ÷ 3600 = 25.7222 meters per second
Conversion Chart
| Knots | Meters per Second |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | -2.5722 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 2.5722 |
| 10.0 | 5.1444 |
| 15.0 | 7.7167 |
| 20.0 | 10.2889 |
| 25.0 | 12.8611 |
| 30.0 | 15.4333 |
| 35.0 | 18.0056 |
| 40.0 | 20.5778 |
| 45.0 | 23.1500 |
To use the chart, find the knots value in the left column, then read across to see the equivalent meters per second value. Negative knots indicate reverse or backward speed, which converts to negative meter per second values.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many meters per second are in 20 knots exactly?
- What is the speed in meters when traveling 20 knots?
- Convert 20 knots into meters per second for marine navigation.
- How do you convert a 20-knot wind speed to meters per second?
- Is 20 knots faster than 10 meters per second?
- What does 20 knots equal in terms of meters per second velocity?
- Can you show the formula to convert 20 knots into meters per second?
Conversion Definitions
Knots: A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts. One nautical mile equals 1852 meters, so a knot measures how many nautical miles are traveled in an hour, representing the speed of a vessel or aircraft.
Meters: The meter is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It represents the distance light travels in vacuum during 1/299,792,458 seconds. Meters are used worldwide for measuring length, height, and distance in science and daily life.
Conversion FAQs
Why is a knot not equal to one mile per hour?
A knot is based on a nautical mile, which is different from a standard mile. A nautical mile measures exactly 1852 meters, reflecting the Earth’s circumference divisions used in navigation, while a standard mile is 1609.34 meters. Hence, knots measure speed differently than miles per hour.
Can knots be converted to meters without time consideration?
No, knots inherently measure speed, which is distance over time (nautical miles per hour). To convert knots to meters, the time unit (hour to second) must be considered, because meters alone measure length, not speed.
Is the conversion factor always 1852/3600?
Yes, for converting knots to meters per second, the factor 1852/3600 remains constant because 1 knot equals 1 nautical mile per hour, and these units do not change. This factor translates the units from nautical miles per hour to meters per second.
What if I want to convert knots to kilometers per hour instead?
To convert knots to kilometers per hour, multiply the knot value by 1.852, since 1 nautical mile = 1.852 kilometers. Unlike meters per second, no time conversion is needed beyond the hour unit.
Are negative knot values physically possible?
Negative knots could represent movement in the opposite direction, such as reversing a ship or wind blowing backward. While speed itself can’t be negative, velocity as a vector can have negative values to show direction.