Convert feet to kilometers using this simple calculator.
Need to convert feet to kilometers? You’re in the right place. Whether you're working on a geographic map, measuring elevation, or calculating long distances in construction or aviation, converting feet into kilometers is essential. In this detailed guide, we explain the feet to kilometers conversion formula, provide real-world examples, a quick reference table, and show how to use a feet-to-km calculator for fast results.
The foot is an imperial unit of length commonly used in the United States, Canada, and the UK. It is mostly used for measuring height, distance, and elevation in non-metric regions.
A kilometer is a unit of length in the metric system, used globally to measure long distances. It's the standard unit for road distances and large-scale maps.
To convert feet to kilometers, multiply the number of feet by 0.0003048.
Formula: Kilometers = Feet × 0.0003048
Because 1 foot equals 0.3048 meters, and 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters. So dividing 0.3048 by 1,000 gives you 0.0003048 kilometers in 1 foot.
1,000 ft × 0.0003048 = 0.3048 km
5,280 ft × 0.0003048 = 1.609344 km
12,000 ft × 0.0003048 = 3.6576 km
| Feet (ft) | Kilometers (km) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 0.03048 |
| 500 | 0.1524 |
| 1,000 | 0.3048 |
| 2,500 | 0.762 |
| 5,000 | 1.524 |
| 10,000 | 3.048 |
| 20,000 | 6.096 |
| 50,000 | 15.24 |
| 100,000 | 30.48 |
If you don’t want to calculate manually, use our free online Feet to Kilometers converter. Simply enter the number of feet, and the tool instantly provides the equivalent value in kilometers.
Perfect for:
Flight altitudes are often measured in feet. However, many countries use kilometers for airspace regulations. For example, 35,000 feet equals about 10.668 km.
Maps often show elevation in meters or kilometers. If you have elevation in feet, converting to km is essential to interpret the data accurately.
Many mountain altitudes are listed in feet, but scientific journals or international teams may require measurements in kilometers.
Engineers dealing with roads, bridges, or tunnels often need to convert large feet-based distances into kilometers for consistency in global documentation.
If you need to convert in the opposite direction, from kilometers to feet, use this formula:
Feet = Kilometers × 3280.84
Example: 2 km × 3280.84 = 6,561.68 feet
1 foot = 0.0003048 kilometers
1 kilometer = 3,280.84 feet
10,000 × 0.0003048 = 3.048 km
Yes, GPS coordinates often measure elevation in feet, while distance and position data may use kilometers or meters depending on settings.
Most international and scientific communities use kilometers as part of the metric system. It ensures global compatibility and avoids confusion.
Converting feet to kilometers is a simple but important task for anyone dealing with measurements in geography, science, aviation, engineering, and beyond. With the easy formula km = ft × 0.0003048, you can accurately convert between these two units without hassle. Use our quick reference tables or online calculator to get precise values instantly.
Still need to convert more units? Check out our related tools:
Kilometers, abbreviated as km, are a widely used unit of length in the metric system. Whether you're calculating distances between cities, planning a long walk, or measuring road travel, kilometers are essential for understanding long-range measurements. In this detailed guide, we will cover what kilometers are, how they compare to other units, their history, real-world uses, formulas, conversion tables, and more.
A kilometer is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern form of the metric system. One kilometer is equal to:
The abbreviation for kilometer is km. This unit is most commonly used to measure longer distances such as those between cities, across countries, or for transportation and navigation purposes.
The word “kilometer” comes from the Greek word “khilioi” meaning "thousand" and the French “mètre” derived from the Greek "metron" meaning "measure." The kilometer became an officially recognized metric unit in the late 18th century, as part of the adoption of the metric system by France during the French Revolution.
Kilometers fit within the metric system’s hierarchy as a multiple of meters:
This base-10 system makes conversions straightforward and logical, unlike some imperial units which require memorizing arbitrary values (e.g., 1 mile = 5280 feet).
Here are common conversions from kilometers to other units of length:
km × 1000 = meterskm × 100000 = cmkm × 1,000,000 = mmkm × 0.621371 = mileskm × 3280.84 = feetkm × 39370.1 = incheskm × 0.539957 = nautical milesm ÷ 1000 = kmmiles × 1.60934 = kmft ÷ 3280.84 = kmcm ÷ 100000 = kmIn most countries that use the metric system, highway signs show distances in kilometers. For example, “Next exit: 5 km.”
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and apps like Google Maps offer route distances and estimated travel times in kilometers by default in most regions.
Races like 5K, 10K, and marathon (42.195 km) are measured in kilometers. Running and cycling trackers also show km as default distance units.
Kilometers are used in ground navigation and route planning for flights and ships, often alongside nautical miles or miles.
Physics, geography, and environmental science use kilometers to measure distances over large areas—like distances between cities or the radius of the Earth.
One of the most common comparisons is between kilometers and miles, especially in the context of travel:
While countries like the USA use miles for road distances, most of the world, including Europe and Asia, uses kilometers. Conversion between the two is often needed for international travelers and businesses.
On printed maps and satellite maps, distances are often represented in kilometers. For example, the map scale may say “1 cm = 5 km” indicating each centimeter on the map equals 5 real-world kilometers.
1 kilometer is approximately 0.621371 miles.
1 mile is equal to 1.60934 kilometers.
No, 1 kilometer is shorter than 1 mile. One mile is approximately 1.6 kilometers.
It typically takes 10 to 12 minutes to walk 1 km at a moderate pace.
The standard abbreviation is km.
| Kilometers | Miles | Meters | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 0.6214 | 1,000 | 3,280.84 |
| 5 km | 3.1069 | 5,000 | 16,404.2 |
| 10 km | 6.2137 | 10,000 | 32,808.4 |
| 21.1 km | 13.11 (Half Marathon) | 21,100 | 69,225.7 |
| 42.195 km | 26.22 (Marathon) | 42,195 | 138,435 |
Kilometers are a standard and efficient way to measure long distances in most parts of the world. They form an integral part of transportation, travel, navigation, science, and fitness. Understanding kilometers and how to convert them to and from other units ensures clear communication, especially in global contexts.
Need to convert kilometers to meters, miles, or feet? Use our online Kilometer Conversion Calculator for instant results and greater accuracy!