Convert 138 km to nm

Converting kilometers (km) to nautical miles (nm) is essential for navigation and maritime activities. Understanding this conversion can help in various fields, including aviation and marine navigation.

km Definition

Kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to 1,000 meters. It is commonly used to measure distances in countries that utilize the metric system, making it a standard unit for road signs, maps, and geographic measurements.

nm Definition

Nautical mile (nm) is a unit of measurement used in maritime and air navigation. It is based on the circumference of the Earth and is approximately equal to one minute of latitude. One nautical mile is equivalent to 1.852 kilometers. This unit is particularly useful for navigators because it directly relates to geographic coordinates.

How to Convert 138 km to nm

To convert kilometers to nautical miles, you can use the formula:

nm = km ÷ 1.852

For example, to convert 138 km to nautical miles:

nm = 138 km ÷ 1.852 ≈ 74.5 nm

Therefore, 138 kilometers is approximately 74.5 nautical miles.

FAQs

What is the difference between kilometers and nautical miles?

Kilometers are used primarily on land, while nautical miles are used in maritime and aviation contexts to account for the curvature of the Earth.

How many nautical miles are in a kilometer?

1 kilometer is approximately equal to 0.53996 nautical miles.

Why is the nautical mile used in navigation?

The nautical mile is based on the Earth is geometry, specifically the latitude and longitude system, making it more suitable for navigation across large distances.