Miles to Nautical Miles Converter – Statute Mile to NM Calculator

  • Adam
  • November 22, 2025

Free miles to nautical miles converter. Convert statute miles to nautical miles and vice versa. Includes conversion formulas, charts, and maritime distance calculator.

Miles to Nautical Miles Converter

Convert Statute Miles to Nautical Miles & Vice Versa

Nautical Mile Converter

Understanding Nautical Miles vs Statute Miles

Nautical miles and statute miles are different units of distance. A nautical mile is based on Earth's circumference and equals one minute of latitude, while a statute mile is a fixed land measurement. Understanding the difference is crucial for maritime and aviation navigation.

Conversion Formulas

Miles to Nautical Miles:

nm = mi × 0.868976

Nautical Miles to Miles:

mi = nm × 1.15078

Key Differences

⚓ Nautical Mile

  • 1,852 meters (exact)
  • 6,076.12 feet
  • 1 minute of latitude
  • Used for sea and air navigation
  • Based on Earth's coordinates

🚗 Statute Mile

  • 1,609.34 meters
  • 5,280 feet (exact)
  • Fixed land measurement
  • Used for road distances
  • Standard in US and UK

Quick Comparison

1 Nautical Mile is approximately 15% longer than 1 Statute Mile

Nautical Mile

1.00 nm

Equals

=

Statute Miles

1.15 mi

Conversion Reference Tables

Miles to Nautical Miles

Statute Miles Nautical Miles
1 mi0.87 nm
5 mi4.34 nm
10 mi8.69 nm
25 mi21.72 nm
50 mi43.45 nm
100 mi86.90 nm
250 mi217.24 nm
500 mi434.49 nm

Nautical Miles to Miles

Nautical Miles Statute Miles
1 nm1.15 mi
5 nm5.75 mi
10 nm11.51 mi
25 nm28.77 mi
50 nm57.54 mi
100 nm115.08 mi
250 nm287.69 mi
500 nm575.39 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you convert statute miles to nautical miles?

To convert statute miles to nautical miles, multiply by 0.868976. Formula: Nautical Miles = Statute Miles × 0.868976. Example: 100 statute miles = 100 × 0.868976 = 86.8976 nautical miles. This is because a nautical mile (6,076 feet) is longer than a statute mile (5,280 feet). The conversion factor comes from the ratio of their exact definitions.

How many statute miles are in a nautical mile?

1 nautical mile equals 1.15078 statute miles. Formula: Statute Miles = Nautical Miles × 1.15078. Example: 50 nautical miles = 50 × 1.15078 = 57.539 statute miles. A nautical mile is approximately 15% longer than a statute mile. This conversion is essential for translating maritime or aviation distances to land-based measurements.

What is the difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile?

A nautical mile (6,076 feet or 1,852 meters) is longer than a statute mile (5,280 feet or 1,609.34 meters). 1 nautical mile = 1.15078 statute miles. Nautical miles are used for maritime and air navigation because they relate directly to Earth's coordinates - one nautical mile equals one minute of latitude. Statute miles are used for land distances, especially in the United States and United Kingdom.

Why do ships and planes use nautical miles?

Ships and planes use nautical miles because they directly correspond to latitude and longitude on Earth's surface. One nautical mile equals one minute of latitude (1/60 of a degree), making navigation calculations simpler when working with charts and coordinates. This relationship allows navigators to easily convert between distances and positions without complex calculations. The nautical mile is based on Earth's actual circumference, making it a natural unit for global navigation.

How to convert 100 miles to nautical miles?

100 statute miles equals 86.8976 nautical miles. Calculation: 100 × 0.868976 = 86.8976 nautical miles. Alternatively, you can divide statute miles by 1.15078 to get nautical miles: 100 / 1.15078 = 86.8976 nautical miles. Both methods give the same result. This conversion is commonly used when comparing road distances to maritime or flight distances.

Disclaimer: This miles to nautical miles converter uses standard international conversion factors: 1 nautical mile = 1.15078 statute miles (exact ratio). Results are mathematically accurate based on the definitions: 1 nautical mile = 1,852 meters, 1 statute mile = 1,609.344 meters. For official maritime navigation, aviation operations, or legal documentation, always use certified navigation systems and consult with qualified professionals. This converter is for general reference and educational purposes.

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