Knots to Mach Number Converter
Enter the speed in knots below to convert it to Mach number.
Result in Mach Number:
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How to Convert Knots to Mach Number
To convert a knot measurement to a Mach measurement, multiply the speed by the conversion ratio. One knot is equal to Mach 0.0015, so use this simple formula to convert:
Mach number = knots × 0.0015
The Mach number is equal to the speed in knots multiplied by 0.0015.
Knots and Mach number are both units used to measure speed. Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure.
What Is a Knot?
One knot is equal to a speed of one nautical mile per hour,[1] or one minute of latitude per hour.
Knots can be abbreviated as kn, and are also sometimes abbreviated as kt. For example, 1 knot can be written as 1 kn or 1 kt.
Learn more about knots.
What Is Mach Number?
Mach, sometimes also referred to as a Mach number, is the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound.[2]
Mach can be abbreviated as M, and is also sometimes abbreviated as Ma. For example, Mach 1 can be written as 1 M or 1 Ma.
Although Mach can be abbreviated M or Ma, the Mach number is typically expressed with the number after the unit name. For example, the expression Mach 3 is preferred rather than 3 Machs or 3 M.
The speed is classified as either subsonic, transonic, supersonic, or hypersonic depending on the Mach number.
| Speed Classification | Mach Number |
|---|---|
| Subsonic | Mach < 1.0 |
| Transonic | Mach = 1.0 |
| Supersonic | Mach > 1.0 |
| Hypersonic | Mach > 5.0 |
Learn more about Mach number.
Knot to Mach Conversion Table
| Knots | Mach Number |
|---|---|
| 166.68 kn | Mach 0.25 |
| 333.37 kn | Mach 0.5 |
| 500.05 kn | Mach 0.75 |
| 666.74 kn | Mach 1 |
| 1,000 kn | Mach 1.5 |
| 1,333 kn | Mach 2 |
| 1,667 kn | Mach 2.5 |
| 2,000 kn | Mach 3 |
| 2,334 kn | Mach 3.5 |
| 2,667 kn | Mach 4 |
| 3,000 kn | Mach 4.5 |
| 3,334 kn | Mach 5 |
| 3,667 kn | Mach 5.5 |
| 4,000 kn | Mach 6 |
| 4,334 kn | Mach 6.5 |
| 4,667 kn | Mach 7 |
| 5,001 kn | Mach 7.5 |
| 5,334 kn | Mach 8 |
| 5,667 kn | Mach 8.5 |
| 6,001 kn | Mach 9 |
| 6,334 kn | Mach 9.5 |
| 6,667 kn | Mach 10 |
References
- NASA, Knots Versus Miles per Hour, https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/WindTunnel/Activities/knots_vs_mph.html
- NASA, Mach Number, https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/BGH/mach.html