How many feet are in one nautical mile?

One nautical mile is defined as exactly 6,076.1 feet, but it is commonly rounded to 6,076 feet for practical purposes. This measurement is based on the circumference of the Earth and is used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts where navigation is based on the Earth's curvature. The nautical mile is directly related to degrees of latitude, which is why it is the preferred unit for navigation over land and water.

The other options do not align with the established definition of a nautical mile. For instance, 5,280 feet is the length of a statutory mile, while 6,000 feet does not correspond to any commonly used distance measurement in navigation. Similarly, 7,200 feet is not used within the context of nautical miles. Understanding the difference between a nautical mile and a statute mile is essential for pilots and marine navigators as they plan and execute their courses.