Nautical Mile
Definition
A nautical mile is a unit of measurement equal to 1.852 kilometers or 1.1508 statute miles, used primarily in marine navigation.
More on Nautical Mile
The nautical mile is based on the Earth's circumference and corresponds to one minute of latitude. It is the standard unit for measuring distance at sea and is used universally in navigation charts and GPS systems. For divers, understanding nautical miles is helpful when reviewing dive site maps, planning boat dives, or estimating travel time based on boat speed (knots).
Frequently Asked Questions
Nautical miles are aligned with the Earth’s geography and used in marine navigation systems, making them standard for all sea-based operations.
One nautical mile equals 1.852 kilometers.
One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. It’s the standard for measuring boat speed.
Marine GPS systems default to nautical miles, though units can usually be changed in settings.
When planning boat dives, estimating fuel usage, or understanding travel distance to remote dive sites.