What is the Difference Between Nautical Mile and Statute Mile?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile lies in their definitions, usage, and length.
- Length: A nautical mile is slightly longer than a statute mile. One nautical mile equals 1.1508 statute miles or 1.852 kilometers.
- Definition: A nautical mile is based on the Earth's longitude and latitude coordinates, with one nautical mile equaling one minute of latitude. On the other hand, a statute mile is a unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 5,280 feet or 1,609.34 meters.
- Usage: Nautical miles are primarily used in navigation and aviation. They are more practical for long-distance travel where the curvature of the Earth becomes a factor in accurate measurement. Statute miles, on the other hand, are commonly used for land-based measurements.
In summary, a nautical mile is longer than a statute mile, is based on the Earth's coordinates, and is used primarily in navigation and aviation, while a statute mile is shorter, based on the imperial system, and used for land-based measurements.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Nautical Mile and Statute Mile? Comparative Table: Nautical Mile vs Statute Mile
Comparative Table: Nautical Mile vs Statute Mile
Here is a table comparing the differences between nautical miles and statute miles:
Feature | Nautical Mile | Statute Mile |
---|---|---|
Definition | Based on the Earth's circumference and equal to one minute of latitude | Based on a historical unit of length, the Roman mile, and measures 5,280 feet or 1,609.3 meters |
Length | Approximately 1.1508 statute miles or 1.852 km | 5,280 feet or 1,609.3 meters |
Usage | Primarily used for water-based measurements and navigation, such as international shipping, aviation, and military operations | Used primarily for land-based measurements, such as on roads and in everyday life |
Abbreviation | "nm" | "mi" |
In summary, nautical miles are used for water-based measurements and consider the Earth's curvature, while statute miles are used for land-based measurements and are based on a historical unit of length. Nautical miles are slightly longer than statute miles by about 15 percent.
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