49 knots equal approximately 56.4213 miles per hour (mph).
Table of Contents
To convert knots to mph, multiply the number of knots by the conversion factor 1.15078. This number represents how many miles per hour one knot equals, making it easy to convert between these units of speed.
Conversion Tool
Result in mph:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting knots to miles per hour is:
mph = knots × 1.15078
One knot equals exactly 1.15078 miles per hour because knots measure speed over nautical miles, while mph uses statute miles. Nautical miles are longer than statute miles, so the multiplier adjusts for this difference.
Step-by-step using 49 knots:
- Start with 49 knots.
- Multiply by 1.15078 to convert to mph.
- 49 × 1.15078 = 56.42122 mph.
- Rounded to 4 decimal places: 56.4213 mph.
Conversion Example
- Convert 30 knots to mph:
- 30 knots × 1.15078 = 34.5234 mph.
- Multiply the knot value by 1.15078 gives miles per hour.
- Final result: 34.5234 mph.
- Convert 55 knots to mph:
- 55 × 1.15078 = 63.2929 mph.
- Multiply the knots by the factor 1.15078.
- Resulting speed: 63.2929 mph.
- Convert 12.5 knots to mph:
- 12.5 × 1.15078 = 14.3847 mph.
- Multiply knots value with conversion rate.
- Final mph value: 14.3847.
- Convert 70 knots to mph:
- 70 × 1.15078 = 80.5546 mph.
- Multiply the knot speed by 1.15078 factor.
- Speed in mph is 80.5546.
Conversion Chart
| Knots | Miles per Hour (mph) |
|---|---|
| 24.0 | 27.6187 |
| 30.0 | 34.5234 |
| 36.0 | 41.4281 |
| 42.0 | 48.3328 |
| 48.0 | 55.2374 |
| 49.0 | 56.4213 |
| 50.0 | 57.5390 |
| 56.0 | 64.4437 |
| 60.0 | 69.0468 |
| 65.0 | 74.8007 |
| 70.0 | 80.5546 |
| 74.0 | 85.3085 |
This chart shows knots down the left column and their equivalent speeds in mph on the right. You can find your knots value, then look right to see the mph speed without doing calculations.
Related Conversion Questions
- How fast is 49 knots in miles per hour exactly?
- What mph equals 49 knots for aviation purposes?
- Does 49 knots convert to mph differently for marine navigation?
- What is the mph equivalent of 49 knots on a GPS device?
- How to convert 49 knots into miles per hour quickly?
- Is 49 knots faster than 50 mph or slower?
- How does 49 knots compare to mph in car speed terms?
Conversion Definitions
Knots: Knots are a unit of speed used in maritime and aviation fields. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour, where a nautical mile is based on the Earth’s circumference and equals about 1.15078 statute miles. Knots measure speed relative to water or air navigation.
Miles per hour (mph): Miles per hour measure the speed in terms of statute miles traveled in one hour. It is commonly used in road vehicles and general speed measurements in countries using imperial units. One mph equals exactly one statute mile traveled every hour.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the conversion factor from knots to mph 1.15078?
The factor 1.15078 comes from the length difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile. One nautical mile equals 1.15078 statute miles. Since a knot is one nautical mile per hour, multiplying knots by this factor converts the speed into miles per hour.
Can I use this formula for converting knots to mph at any speed?
Yes, the formula mph = knots × 1.15078 applies to any speed expressed in knots. It doesn’t depend on conditions like altitude or temperature because it’s a straightforward unit conversion based on distance units.
Is there a difference between converting knots to mph for air and sea travel?
No, the conversion remains the same regardless if the speed is measured in air or water. Both use nautical miles per hour as the base, so the same factor applies for mph conversion.
Why do pilots and sailors prefer knots over mph?
Knots are preferred because nautical miles relate directly to the Earth’s geography and latitude/longitude system, which are essential for navigation. This makes knots more practical for travel over oceans and airspace than mph.
How accurate is the conversion when rounded to 4 decimal places?
Rounding to 4 decimal places provides a high level of precision for everyday use. The slight difference in the last decimal places usually doesn’t impact navigation or general speed calculations significantly.