Wind Speed Converter

A wind speed converter translates forecast and instrument readings between the units meteorologists, sailors, and pilots use every day: meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), miles per hour (mph), knots (kn), and the Beaufort scale. This free tool runs entirely in your browser — paste a value from a weather app, marine chart, or airport METAR and read the equivalent wind speed in any other unit instantly.

European and many international forecasts quote km/h or m/s; US reports often use mph; aviation and shipping standardise on knots. When you compare a UK shipping forecast with a US hurricane advisory, a single wind speed conversion table saves mental arithmetic.

Every wind speed conversion formula on this page normalises through meters per second (m/s), the SI unit used by WMO and many national weather services. From m/s:

km/h = m/s × 3.6  ·  mph = m/s × 2.23694  ·  knots = m/s × 1.94384

Reverse conversions:

m/s = km/h ÷ 3.6  ·  m/s = mph ÷ 2.23694  ·  m/s = knots ÷ 1.94384

The knot link to km/h is exact by definition: 1 knot = 1.852 km/h = 0.514444 m/s (one nautical mile per hour). Searches like wind speed km/h to mph, knots wind speed, and m/s to km/h wind all reduce to these factors.

Quick mental checks: 10 m/s ≈ 36 km/h ≈ 22 mph ≈ 19 knots · 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph ≈ 27 knots ≈ 14 m/s.

The wind speed conversion chart below maps Beaufort force numbers to typical speed ranges. Beaufort describes observed sea state and wind effects — each force level corresponds to a band of speeds, not a single exact value.

Use this as a Beaufort scale quick reference; the converter dropdown includes an approximate Beaufort midpoint for rough cross-checks. Official WMO tables give min/max bounds per force — mid-range values are shown here for everyday comparison.

• Bft 0 (Calm): 0 m/s · 0 km/h · 0 mph
• Bft 3 (Gentle breeze): ~4 m/s · ~14 km/h · ~9 mph · ~8 kn
• Bft 5 (Fresh breeze): ~9 m/s · ~32 km/h · ~20 mph · ~17 kn
• Bft 6 (Strong breeze): ~12 m/s · ~43 km/h · ~27 mph · ~23 kn
• Bft 8 (Gale): ~19 m/s · ~68 km/h · ~42 mph · ~37 kn
• Bft 10 (Storm): ~26 m/s · ~94 km/h · ~58 mph · ~51 kn
• Bft 12 (Hurricane): 32+ m/s · 118+ km/h · 73+ mph · 64+ kn

A full wind speed conversion table with more Beaufort steps appears in the reference section below the converter — handy when a forecast says "Force 6" and you need mph or knots for local planning.

Searches for wind force converter often mix two different ideas. This page converts wind speed (how fast air moves). The Beaufort scale uses the word "force" historically (Beaufort force 0–12), but each level is defined by speed ranges and visual effects — not Newtons or pounds of push.

Actual wind load or wind pressure on a building, sign, or turbine blade depends on speed, air density, drag coefficient, and area — that is a force calculation (Newtons, lbf), not a speed unit swap. For force units, use the Force Converter. Dynamic pressure scales roughly with speed squared (q ∝ v²), so doubling wind speed quadruples pressure — a reason speed units and force units must stay separate.

For general vehicle speed, running pace, or Mach number — without Beaufort — see the Speed Converter. This wind-focused page adds knots and Beaufort alongside the same m/s, km/h, and mph core.

Weather forecasts may show sustained wind and gusts in km/h (Met Office, DWD), m/s (Nordic services), or mph (US NWS). Gust lines need the same unit conversion as sustained values — a 90 km/h gust equals ~56 mph and ~49 knots.

Marine navigation almost always quotes wind in knots on GRIB files, VHF forecasts, and passage planning. Converting knots wind speed to km/h (× 1.852) lets you compare with shore forecasts.

Aviation METARs report wind in knots (e.g. 27015KT = 270° at 15 knots). Some European charts add m/s. Pilots crossing regions benefit from a quick wind speed converter when briefing in mixed units.

Wind energy and engineering datasheets often specify cut-in and rated speeds in m/s. Converting to mph or km/h helps when communicating with stakeholders using imperial or road-speed familiar units.

Wind km/h to mph: 50 km/h ÷ 1.609344 = 31.1 mph (or × 0.621371).

m/s to km/h: 10 m/s × 3.6 = 36 km/h.

Knots to mph: 30 knots × 1.15078 = 34.5 mph.

mph to m/s: 60 mph ÷ 2.23694 = 26.8 m/s — near the lower bound of Beaufort 10 (whole gale).

These match the interactive tool above — enter any value and read all equivalent units without memorising every wind speed conversion formula.

Conversions use standard exact factors (nautical mile definition, international mile). Beaufort mapping is approximate because each force spans a speed interval — treat Bft dropdown results as mid-scale guides, not WMO certification.

This converter does not compute wind chill, apparent wind on a moving vessel, turbulence intensity, or terrain acceleration. It does not convert rainfall rate, barometric pressure, or altitude — those live on sibling physics tools. It performs one job well: wind speed unit conversion between m/s, km/h, mph, knots, and rough Beaufort equivalents, locally and privately in your browser.