On the ocean, distances are calculated slightly different than on land, hence Nautical phrases are applied as opposed to land or Statute terminology. Nautical Mile (nm): A unit of distance used in navigation and based on the length of one minute of arc taken along a great circle. The value 1,852 meters (6,076.1 ft) has been adopted internationally. Statute mile: A unit of distance equal to 1,609 km (0.869 nm, 5,280 ft.). 1 nautical mile = 1.15 statute miles 1 statute mile = 1.6 kilometers. A knot is a unit of speed one nautical mile per hour, which is approximately 1.15 statute miles per hour.