What is a knot?
A knot (kn) is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour — 1.15 mph. Wind forecasts for water sports and coastal areas often report in knots.
WindQuick knots → mph conversion
| Knots | mph | Kite meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kn | 6 mph | Marginal |
| 7 kn | 8 mph | Lower edge of ideal |
| 10 kn | 12 mph | Good, steady flying |
| 15 kn | 17 mph | Strong but manageable |
| 22 kn | 25 mph | Upper edge of ideal |
| 27 kn | 31 mph | Gust danger zone |
Why knots? Because a nautical mile matches one minute of latitude, so navigators can plot against a chart directly. The habit stuck with everything maritime — including kitesurfing forecasts, which is where you'll meet knots most as a kite flyer.
We report mph on this site (the ideal range is 8–25 mph), but the wind speed guide covers every unit if you're crossing over from a kitesurfing forecast.