Convert Miles to Nautical Miles
1 mi = 0.868976 nmi
Conversion Table
| miles (mi) | nautical miles (nmi) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.434488 |
| 1 | 0.868976 |
| 2 | 1.738 |
| 5 | 4.3449 |
| 10 | 8.6898 |
| 25 | 21.7244 |
| 50 | 43.4488 |
| 100 | 86.8976 |
| 250 | 217.24 |
| 500 | 434.49 |
| 1000 | 868.98 |
How to Convert miles to nautical miles
To convert miles to nautical miles, multiply the value by the conversion factor:
For example: 10 mi = 8.6898 nmi
About miles and nautical miles
The Conversion Formula
To convert miles to nautical miles, multiply the value by the conversion factor: 1 mi = 0.868976 nmi. For a worked example, suppose you need to convert 25 mi to nautical miles: 25 × 0.868976 = 21.7244 nmi. To convert in the opposite direction, divide by 0.868976, or equivalently multiply by 1.1508.
About miles
The mile has a storied past, originating from the Roman 'mille passus'—literally 'a thousand paces,' where a pace was two steps. The modern 'statute mile' of 5,280 feet was codified during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1593 to align with agricultural surveys (furlongs). While most of the world has switched to kilometers, the mile remains the king of the road in the United States and United Kingdom. miles are commonly used in US and UK highway distances, Speed limits (mph), Frequent flyer programs, and Running (the 4-minute mile), Railway trackage.
Walking at a brisk pace, you can cover a mile in about 15-20 minutes.
About nautical miles
The nautical mile is distinct from the statute mile, designed specifically for navigation. It was originally defined as one minute of latitude along any meridian, making it directly compatible with map coordinates. This allowed sailors to measure distance using the stars and a sextant. In 1929, it was standardized to exactly 1,852 meters. It is the basis for the 'knot' (one nautical mile per hour). nautical miles are commonly used in Ship navigation, Aircraft flight planning, International law (territorial waters), and Polar exploration, Meteorological forecasts.
A nautical mile is about 15% longer than a standard land mile.
When Would You Convert miles to nautical miles?
Converting between miles and nautical miles is one of the most common length conversions. You might need this conversion when working with international specifications, following instructions written for a different measurement system, or comparing values across different standards. Having the conversion factor (1 mi = 0.868976 nmi) memorized or bookmarked can save time in professional and everyday contexts alike.