Nautical Mile

Nautical Mile (NM or nm) is the standard unit of distance in aviation and maritime navigation, defined as exactly 1,852 meters (6,076 feet or 1.151 statute miles). One nautical mile corresponds to approximately one minute of arc of latitude.

The nautical mile is preferred in navigation because of its direct relationship to the coordinate system: one degree of latitude equals 60 nautical miles. All aviation charts, distances, and separation standards are expressed in nautical miles.