Convert Knots to Feet per Second
Convert Knots (kn) to Feet per Second (ft/s) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
ft/s = kn × 1.687809857
About Knots
A knot (kn) = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1,852/3,600 m/s ≈ 0.51444 m/s - the universal speed unit for aviation and maritime navigation (ICAO and IMO standard). GA aircraft cruise 100-140 kn; commercial airliners 450-480 kn; Concorde 1,176 kn (Mach 2). Container ships 18-22 kn; QM2 exceeds 30 kn. Beaufort Force 12 hurricane begins at 64 kn. Gulf Stream surface current 2-4 kn. 1 kn = 1.852 km/h = 1.15078 mph.
About Feet per Second
A foot per second (ft/s) = exactly 0.3048 m/s - the primary speed unit in US ballistics, hydraulics, and gas dynamics. .308 Winchester muzzle velocity ~2,750 ft/s; 9mm pistol 1,200-1,400 ft/s; .50 BMG 2,910 ft/s. Speed of sound at sea level 1,116 ft/s. River channel mean velocities 0.5-6 ft/s; NFPA sprinkler pipe flows also in ft/s. 1 ft/s = 0.3048 m/s = 1.09728 km/h = 60 ft/min.
Quick Reference Table
| Knots (kn) | Feet per Second (ft/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 kn | 1.68781 ft/s |
| 2 kn | 3.37562 ft/s |
| 5 kn | 8.43905 ft/s |
| 10 kn | 16.8781 ft/s |
| 25 kn | 42.1952 ft/s |
| 50 kn | 84.3905 ft/s |
| 100 kn | 168.781 ft/s |