About wind speed converter
Wind speed is reported in km/h, m/s, mph and knots depending on the country and use. The converter also describes the Beaufort scale.
Conversions
- 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h.
- 1 knot = 1.852 km/h, used in sailing and aviation.
- 1 mph = 1.609 km/h.
Beaufort scale
- 0 to 3: calm to gentle breeze.
- 4 to 6: moderate to strong breeze.
- 7 to 9: near gale to strong gale.
- 10 to 12: storm to hurricane force.
A worked example
A wind of 20 knots is about 37 km/h, 23 mph or 10.3 m/s. On the Beaufort scale that is force 5, a fresh breeze, which makes small trees sway. Force 8, a gale, begins at about 62 km/h.
Why units differ
- Aviation and sailing use knots.
- Weather forecasts in India use km/h.
- Engineers and scientists prefer m/s.
