Nautical Mile Conversion Chart
| NM | km | Miles | Example Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.852 | 1.151 | Harbor to anchorage |
| 10 | 18.52 | 11.51 | Coastal passage |
| 50 | 92.6 | 57.5 | Panama Canal |
| 100 | 185.2 | 115.1 | Suez Canal |
| 500 | 926.0 | 575.4 | Strait of Malacca |
| 3,400 | 6,296.8 | 3,912.7 | Rotterdam → New York |
| 5,800 | 10,741.6 | 6,674.5 | Shanghai → LA |
| 8,500 | 15,742.0 | 9,781.3 | London → Tokyo |
Metric to Imperial Marine Distance Table
Shipping Lane Distance Examples
Major shipping routes in nautical miles: Strait of Malacca transit = ~500 NM (926 km), Suez Canal = 100 NM (185.2 km), Panama Canal = 50 NM (92.6 km), Rotterdam to New York = 3,400 NM (6,297 km), Shanghai to Los Angeles = 5,800 NM (10,742 km). Commercial vessels typically travel at 12–25 knots, so these distances determine transit times and fuel requirements.
Ocean Freight Calculations
Freight costs are often quoted per nautical mile or per distance zone. Knowing the exact NM distance between ports enables accurate cost estimation. Container shipping lines optimize routes based on NM distances, fuel prices ($/NM), and port fees. The Great Circle route (shortest distance on a sphere) is always calculated in nautical miles. For speed conversions, see our km to mph converter.