1. What is Nautical Distance?

Nautical distance is a measurement used in marine and air navigation. One nautical mile equals exactly 1.852 kilometers, which is based on the circumference of the Earth.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the nautical distance formula:

Where:

• 1.852 — Conversion factor (km per nautical mile)
• Kilometers — Distance in kilometers

3. Importance of Nautical Distance Calculation

Details: Nautical miles are crucial for navigation as they correspond to one minute of latitude, making them practical for charting and navigation purposes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance in kilometers. The value must be positive (km > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use nautical miles instead of kilometers?
A: Nautical miles are used in navigation because they relate directly to the Earth's coordinate system (1 nautical mile = 1 minute of latitude).

Q2: How accurate is this conversion?
A: The conversion is exact by international agreement (1 nautical mile = exactly 1.852 km).

Q3: Where are nautical miles used?
A: Primarily in marine navigation, aviation, and sometimes in polar exploration.

Q4: What's the difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile?
A: A statute mile (regular mile) is 1.609 km, while a nautical mile is 1.852 km.

Q5: How was the nautical mile originally defined?
A: Historically, it was defined as one minute (1/60 of a degree) of latitude along any meridian.