Nautical Mile vs. Mile — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 26, 2023
A nautical mile relates to Earth's circumference, equaling one minute of latitude; a mile, or statute mile, is 5,280 feet.
Difference Between Nautical Mile and Mile
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A nautical mile and a mile serve different purposes in measurement. The nautical mile is fundamentally tied to the Earth's circumference, while the term mile typically refers to the statute mile used on land.
Historically, the nautical mile was defined as one minute of latitude. This makes it especially suitable for navigation and map reading. In contrast, the mile, often used in the US and UK, has been defined differently over time, with the most common definition today being 5,280 feet.
The nautical mile, used primarily for aviation and maritime purposes, is longer than the statute mile. While the nautical mile measures approximately 6,076 feet, the mile measures exactly 5,280 feet.
In everyday land-based activities and road transportation, the mile is the standard unit of distance. The nautical mile, on the other hand, is crucial for sailors, pilots, and those involved in seafaring and air navigation.
Speeds in marine and aerial navigation are typically given in knots, which means nautical miles per hour. For terrestrial distances and speeds, miles and miles per hour are more common.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Origin
One minute of latitude
Varied historical definitions
Current Length
Approximately 6,076 feet
Exactly 5,280 feet
Primary Usage
Maritime & aviation navigation
Land-based measurement
Associated Speed Unit
Knots (nautical miles per hour)
Miles per hour
Relation to Earth
Tied to Earth's circumference
Fixed land measure
Compare with Definitions
Nautical Mile
Speeds in nautical contexts are expressed in knots.
The wind pushed the boat at 15 knots, meaning 15 nautical miles per hour.
Mile
A mile is a unit of length used primarily in the US and UK.
I jogged five miles this morning.
Nautical Mile
This unit is essential for those involved in seafaring and air navigation.
Navigators rely heavily on the nautical mile for accurate plotting.
Mile
Mile is used in everyday land-based activities.
The grocery store is just a mile away from my home.
Nautical Mile
A nautical mile pertains to maritime and aerial navigation.
The ship traveled 100 nautical miles today.
Mile
The mile has varied historical definitions but is standardized today.
Ancient Roman miles differed from today's standard mile.
Nautical Mile
It is based on Earth's circumference, representing one minute of latitude.
Pilots find the nautical mile useful due to its tie to the Earth's shape.
Mile
It's the standard unit for terrestrial distances and speeds.
The car's speedometer showed 60 miles per hour.
Nautical Mile
The nautical mile measures approximately 6,076 feet.
The submarine descended 2 nautical miles beneath the sea.
Mile
Abbr. mi. or mi A unit of length equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards (1,609 meters), used in the United States and other English-speaking countries. Also called land mile, statute mile. See Table at measurement.
Mile
A nautical mile.
Mile
An air mile.
Mile
(Sports) A race that is one mile long.
Mile
A relatively great distance
Had to walk for miles in the airport.
Mile
The international mile: a unit of length precisely equal to 1.609344 kilometers established by treaty among Anglophone nations in 1959, divided into 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
Turn left in 1.2 miles.
Mile
Any of several customary units of length derived from the 1593 English statute mile of 8 furlongs, equivalent to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards of various precise values.
Mile
Any of many customary units of length derived from the Roman mile (mille passus) of 8 stades or 5,000 Roman feet.
Mile
The Scandinavian mile: a unit of length precisely equal to 10 kilometers defined in 1889.
Mile
Any of many customary units of length from other measurement systems of roughly similar values, as the Chinese (里) or Arabic mile (al-mīl).
Mile
(travel) An airline mile in a frequent flyer program.
Mile
(informal) Any similarly large distance.
The shot missed by a mile.
Mile
(slang) A race of 1 mile's length; a race of around 1 mile's length (usually 1500 or 1600 meters)
The runners competed in the mile.
Mile
(slang) One mile per hour, as a measure of speed.
Five miles over the speed limit
Mile
A certain measure of distance, being equivalent in England and the United States to 320 poles or rods, or 5,280 feet.
Mile
A unit of length equal to 1760 yards
Mile
A unit of length used in navigation; equivalent to the distance spanned by one minute of arc in latitude; 1,852 meters
Mile
A large distance;
He missed by a mile
Mile
A former British unit of length once used in navigation; equivalent to 1828.8 meters (6000 feet)
Mile
A British unit of length equivalent to 1,853.18 meters (6,082 feet)
Mile
An ancient Roman unit of length equivalent to 1620 yards
Mile
A Swedish unit of length equivalent to 10 km
Mile
A footrace extending one mile;
He holds the record in the mile
Mile
Commonly, a mile measures exactly 5,280 feet.
The canyon was over a mile wide.
Common Curiosities
How is a mile commonly defined today?
Today, a mile is defined as exactly 5,280 feet.
Where is the nautical mile primarily used?
The nautical mile is primarily used in maritime and aviation navigation.
What defines a nautical mile?
A nautical mile represents one minute of latitude, related to Earth's circumference.
Which is longer, a nautical mile or a statute mile?
A nautical mile is longer, measuring approximately 6,076 feet.
What is the primary usage of a mile?
The mile is mainly used for land-based measurements and activities.
Is the nautical mile used in global navigation?
Yes, the nautical mile is used worldwide for maritime and aerial navigation.
How is speed on roads commonly measured?
On roads, speed is commonly measured in miles per hour.
Why is the nautical mile preferred for navigation?
Due to its relation to the Earth's circumference and minutes of latitude, it's especially suitable for navigation.
What does the term "knots" refer to?
"Knots" refers to nautical miles per hour, a speed measurement in maritime and aerial contexts.
How do nautical miles aid pilots?
Nautical miles help pilots because of their relationship to Earth's shape, making them useful for global navigation.
Are miles and nautical miles interchangeable?
No, they serve different purposes and have different lengths, so they aren't interchangeable.
What speed unit is associated with the nautical mile?
The speed unit associated with the nautical mile is knots (nautical miles per hour).
How have the definitions of a mile changed over time?
Historically, the mile had varied definitions across cultures, but today it's standardized to 5,280 feet.
How many feet are there in a nautical mile?
A nautical mile is approximately 6,076 feet.
Which countries primarily use the mile for land distances?
The mile is primarily used in the US and UK for land distances.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
