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How “Knots” Are Used in Measurement
Dark blue interface of a knots vs. miles per hour converter with white text, light gray input fields, a swap button, and a 0.00 mph result display.
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knot

measurement
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

knot, in navigation, measure of speed at sea, equal to one nautical mile per hour (approximately 1.15 statute miles per hour). Thus, a ship moving at 20 knots is traveling as fast as a land vehicle at about 23 mph (37 km/hr). The term knot derives from its former use as a length measure on ships’ log lines, which were used to measure the speed of a ship through the water. Such a line was...

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