Convert 686 Miles to nm

Are you looking to convert 686 miles into nautical miles (nm)? This post will guide you through the definition of both units and provide you with the necessary steps for conversion.

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 in road travel, running, and other forms of transportation.

nm Definition

A nautical mile (nm) is a unit of measurement used in maritime and air navigation, defined as exactly 1,852 meters or about 1.15078 miles. Nautical miles are used because they are based on the circumference of the Earth, making them more applicable to navigation over water and air.

How to Convert 686 Miles to nm

To convert miles to nautical miles, you can use the conversion factor where 1 mile is approximately equal to 0.868976 nautical miles. To find the equivalent of 686 miles in nautical miles, you can use the formula:

Nautical Miles = Miles x 0.868976

Applying the formula:

Nautical Miles = 686 x 0.868976 ≈ 596.2 nm

Therefore, 686 miles is approximately 596.2 nautical miles.

FAQs

What is the difference between miles and nautical miles?

Miles are used primarily on land, while nautical miles are used in maritime and aviation contexts, as they consider the Earth is curvature.

Why do we use nautical miles for navigation?

Nautical miles are based on the Earth is geometry, making them more suitable for navigation over long distances on the water or in the air.

How accurate is the conversion from miles to nm?

The conversion factor of 0.868976 provides a precise conversion, making it suitable for navigation and distance calculations.