We have a unit to measure liquid: Liters; we also use another to undulate transport speed, and two of the most and Knot.
In many countries, a Kilometer is used to calculate the speed of vehicles. Still, Mph is also a standard unit to measure road vehicles, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States. A knot is a unit that is not as ordinary for most people as used in Marine and Air aviation.
Key Takeaways
- MPH, or miles per hour, is a unit of measurement used to express speed in the Imperial and US customary systems. At the same time, a knot is a unit of measurement used to express speed in the maritime and aviation industries.
- One knot equals one nautical mile per hour, whereas one mile per hour equals 0.868976 knots.
- MPH is commonly used to measure the speed of land vehicles, while knots are used to measure the speed of ships and airplanes.
Mph vs Knot
Mph (Miles per hour) is used in measuring the transportation of road vehicles like cars, trucks, etc. Knot, on the other hand, is used in calculating the speed of air and water travelling vehicles like Airplanes, boats—anything with air or ocean aviation.
Mph measures the speed of a mile driven in a time of an hour by a road vehicle. Though it was used by many major countries, such as Canada, Australia, etc., as the unit of measuring speed, now it is mainly used only in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Knot is the most common unit to calculate the speed of any air or ocean travel. Though a very used unit in non-road vehicles, it is not yet included in the Système International d’Unités, commonly known as the SI unit. I
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Mph | Knot |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A unit that is used to measure the speed of road vehicles. | The unit is used to measure the speed of water and air-travelling vehicles. |
| Main use | In transport used on the road: Bikes, cars, etc. | In Air crafts and water transports. |
| Origin | 18th century | The Mid-1900s |
| Symbol | Mp or mi/h | Kn or kt |
| Another usage | Railway and some light metro systems as well. | In the process of meteorology. |
What is Mph?
Mph or miles per hour is the speed that is covered by a motor vehicle in an hour. The name was discovered in Rome. The first use measures 5000 Roman feet by Roman “mille passus”, translated into “thousand paces”.
Just as Knot is additionally used as a tool in meteorology in calculating variations in atmospheric activity, mph is also used in the calculation of railway speeds and in some games that include the use of balls, mainly cricket and baseball.
What is a Knot?
The knot is a unit of measure to calculate the speed of mainly three branches: Aircraft speed, freight transport, and the process of meteorology. It is supposed to be founded by Dutch sailors who, instead of “heaving the log”,
A new method came into existence that would require a wood panel (a triangle shape one) attached to a rope, and that rope would have knots tied around it at some distance. The rope was attached to the time measuring device of that time- a half-filled sand glass.
The sailors would throw the wood log into the sea and start the boat. The speed would be calculated by the time each knot tied at a similar distance went overboard. The person then would be able to count the speed of the boat or the ship measured by the sand glass.
It is equal to one nautical mile (a unit of measurement used in monitoring and controlling space, air, and sea/ocean.) that is equal to approximately 1.15078 mph.
Main Differences Between Mph and Knot
- The measuring of air and boating crafts is done in a Knot. On the other hand, for almost any travelling vehicle, Mph is used.
- The knot is used in the process of meteorology as well. It is widespread use. Mph, on the other hand, is not used in the measurement of the process of meteorology.
- A unit of Knot is a tiny bit faster than a single unit of Mph.
- Mph can also be used in calculating the speed of the ball for some games like cricket, baseball, and Tennis. The knot isn’t used for this purpose.
- While Mph is a standard unit of speed included in the UK and USA Imperial system, Knot is not. It is not even a SI unit.
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-navigation/article/future-of-the-knot-as-a-unit-of-speed/D0B21743391ACF510213CDA907324840
- https://books.google.co.in/books?id=GA-4AAAAIAAJ&q=mph+unit+invention&dq=mph+unit+invention&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjI4-GUwoDwAhXEfH0KHUn9A_IQ6AEwAHoECAEQAw
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article is extremely informative and easy to understand. It provides a clear explanation of the differences between MPH and Knot. I’m impressed with the depth of analysis.
I completely agree with you. This article is an exceptional resource for anyone wishing to learn about these units of measurement.
I found the information to be quite useful. It’s always good to have a clear understanding of the differences between MPH and Knot, especially since they are used in varying contexts.
Absolutely, the clarity provided in the article is commendable.
The information provided was fascinating, but I think it could have been presented in a more engaging manner.
I think the seriousness of the topic necessitated a more formal tone, but I see where you’re coming from.
I understand your point, but I believe the straightforward approach was necessary to clearly communicate the topic.
I appreciate the level of detail in the article. The historical context provided for the origin of these units was particularly enlightening.
Agreed, the historical aspect added a unique depth to the article.
The explanations were quite thorough and informative, but I felt that the tone was a bit too dry for such an interesting subject matter.
I can see where you’re coming from, but the formality served the purpose of ensuring the content was easily digestible.
I think the focus was more on clarity, which required maintaining a formal tone.
I found the comparison between the two units to be quite engaging. It’s always interesting to explore the differences in how measurements are utilized across different contexts.
Definitely, the article managed to make a seemingly technical subject quite intriguing.
The comparison provided was very helpful. It made it easy to grasp the differences between these units, even for someone not well-versed in this area.
I second that. The clarity was definitely an asset in making the content accessible.
Absolutely, that was the strength of the article. It managed to cater to a wide range of readers effectively.
The article did a great job of highlighting the distinctions between MPH and Knot. The nautical perspective was especially fascinating.
It’s not that we get to delve into the unique aspects of nautical measurements in such detail. A great read, indeed.
I’ve always been interested in understanding the differences between these units of measurement. This article has definitely broadened my knowledge.
Indeed, this is a topic that’s overlooked but is actually very insightful.
It’s great to hear that you found value in the article, Harrison97.
The detailed comparison table was particularly helpful. It clearly outlined the differences in usage and origin between MPH and Knot.
I’d have to agree. The table made the distinctions much easier to comprehend.