Convert 20 Miles to nm

Converting distances between different units can be essential for various applications, from navigation to scientific research. In this post, we will convert 20 miles to nautical miles (nm) and provide you with useful information about both units.

Miles Definition

A mile is a unit of length commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom, equivalent to 5,280 feet or 1,609.34 meters. Miles are often used to measure distances on land, such as roadways and travel distances.

nm Definition

Nautical miles (nm) are a unit of measurement used in maritime and air navigation, equal to one minute of latitude. One nautical mile is approximately 1,150.78 statute miles or 1,852 meters. Nautical miles are used to measure distances over water and in aviation to account for the curvature of the Earth.

How to Convert 20 Miles to nm

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

1 mile = 0.868976 nautical miles

To convert 20 miles to nautical miles, you would calculate:

20 miles x 0.868976 nm/mile = 17.37952 nm

So, 20 miles is approximately 17.38 nautical miles.

FAQs

What is the difference between miles and nautical miles?

The primary difference is that miles are used for land distance measurements, while nautical miles are used for maritime and aviation navigation, reflecting the curvature of the Earth.

Why is the nautical mile important in navigation?

Nautical miles are important because they correspond to one minute of latitude, making it easier to calculate distances on a map and navigate using latitude and longitude coordinates.

How do I convert nautical miles back to miles?

To convert nautical miles back to miles, you can use the formula: 1 nautical mile = 1.15078 miles. Multiply the number of nautical miles by this factor to get the equivalent in miles.