Convert kilometers to miles easily using this calculator. Just enter a value in kilometers and click the convert button.
Kilometers (km) and miles (mi) are two principal units for measuring distance in metric and imperial systems respectively. While kilometers are widely used internationally—especially in scientific, engineering, and everyday contexts—miles remain common in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few other countries. Converting kilometers to miles enables clear communication, accurate travel planning, compliance with regional standards, and seamless collaboration across international boundaries.
A kilometer is a unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), defined as exactly 1,000 meters. The prefix “kilo-” means one thousand, so one kilometer equals one thousand meters. Kilometers are ideal for expressing moderate to long distances, such as road trip lengths, running race distances (e.g., 5 km, 10 km), and geographic spans between cities. In everyday use, speed limits, odometer readings, and hiking trail lengths often appear in kilometers.
A mile is a unit of length in the imperial and U.S. customary systems, defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters or precisely 5,280 feet. Historically, the mile evolved from the Roman “mille passus,” meaning a thousand paces. Today it serves as the standard for distance measurements in the United States, the United Kingdom, and a handful of other regions. Common mile-based measurements include road signage, marathon distances (26.219 mi), and property dimensions.
Since both kilometers and miles are defined in terms of meters, their relationship is exact and fixed:
Therefore, the exact conversion factor from kilometers to miles is:
1 kilometer = 0.62137119223733 miles
General conversion formula:
Miles = Kilometers × 0.62137119223733
Calculation: 1 × 0.62137119223733 = 0.62137119223733 mi
Result: 1 kilometer = 0.62137 miles (rounded to five decimal places).
Calculation: 5 × 0.62137119223733 = 3.10685596118665 mi
Result: 5 kilometers = 3.10686 miles.
Calculation: 10 × 0.62137119223733 = 6.2137119223733 mi
Result: 10 kilometers = 6.21371 miles.
Calculation: 42.195 × 0.62137119223733 = 26.21875741598735 mi
Result: A marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers = 26.21876 miles, aligning with the traditional 26.219 miles.
Calculation: 100 × 0.62137119223733 = 62.137119223733 mi
Result: 100 kilometers = 62.13712 miles.
| Kilometers (km) | Miles (mi) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 km | 0.06214 mi |
| 0.5 km | 0.31069 mi |
| 1 km | 0.62137 mi |
| 2 km | 1.24274 mi |
| 5 km | 3.10686 mi |
| 10 km | 6.21371 mi |
| 21.0975 km (half marathon) | 13.10938 mi |
| 42.195 km (marathon) | 26.21876 mi |
| 50 km | 31.06856 mi |
| 100 km | 62.13712 mi |
=A1*0.62137119223733 to convert a cell value in kilometers to miles.miles = kilometers * 0.62137119223733const miles = km * 0.62137119223733;While the mathematical conversion is exact, real-world measurements (such as GPS readings, odometer readings, or survey data) carry inherent uncertainties. Report converted distances with appropriate significant figures—two decimals for casual use, three to four for professional contexts, and five or more for scientific applications. Always specify whether values are approximate and note the measurement method’s tolerance.
A1: Exactly 0.62137119223733 miles.
A2: Because the definitions of the meter and mile are based on different historical standards, leading to a non-terminating decimal when expressing one in terms of the other.
A3: For quick estimates, multiply kilometers by 0.62 or use the rule of thumb: 1 km ≈ 0.62 mi. For rougher estimates, 1 km ≈ 0.6 miles is acceptable for everyday purposes.
A4: It’s common for travelers, runners, and international automotive contexts. In scientific or engineering fields, metric units often predominate, reducing the need for frequent conversion.
A5: A statute mile (common “mile”) is 1,609.344 meters, while a nautical mile is defined as 1,852 meters, based on one minute of arc of latitude. Nautical miles are used in maritime and aviation navigation.
A6: Display both original and converted values with clear units and specify decimal places and precision. For example: “Distance: 12.35 km (7.67 mi).”
A7: Automotive, aerospace, military, emergency services, international shipping, travel and tourism, and sports events often require km-to-mi conversions.
A8: Organizations such as ISO and ASTM provide guidelines on unit notation, significant figures, and rounding conventions. Adhere to relevant standards for your industry.
A9: Yes—divide miles by 0.62137119223733 or multiply by 1.609344. For example, 5 mi × 1.609344 = 8.04672 km.
A10: Avoid using approximate conversion factors, rounding intermediate results prematurely, mixing units without proper conversion, and misplacing decimal points. Always double-check calculations and tool settings.
Converting kilometers to miles accurately is indispensable for global communication, travel planning, fitness tracking, and professional projects across engineering, science, and mapping. By using the exact conversion factor (1 km = 0.62137119223733 mi), following clear calculation steps, leveraging reliable tools, and observing precision guidelines, you ensure consistency and clarity in all your work. Whether drafting road maps, programming navigation systems, or analyzing sporting events, mastering this conversion empowers you to navigate seamlessly between metric and imperial worlds.
The mile, abbreviated as mi, is a well-known unit of length used predominantly in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries that follow the Imperial or U.S. customary measurement systems. It’s most commonly associated with road distances, running tracks, and large-scale navigation. Although the metric system dominates globally, miles remain vital in several real-world applications. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the origin, definition, conversions, uses, and practical applications of the mile.
A mile is a unit of length equal to exactly 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards. In metric terms, 1 mile equals 1.60934 kilometers or 1,609.344 meters.
The mile is commonly abbreviated as mi. For example, 10 miles is written as 10 mi. On road signs and maps, the full word “miles” is often used for clarity.
The term “mile” is derived from the Latin phrase “mille passus” which means "a thousand paces." The Roman mile was approximately 1,480 meters. The current statute mile was standardized in the United Kingdom by an act of Parliament in 1593, setting the mile as 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet. This value has since been adopted by other countries that use Imperial measurements, including the U.S.
Although the statute mile is the most commonly used version, there are other types of miles:
mi × 1.60934 = kmmi × 1,609.34 = mmi × 5,280 = ftmi × 63,360 = inmi × 1,760 = ydkm × 0.621371 = mim ÷ 1,609.34 = mift ÷ 5,280 = miyd ÷ 1,760 = miMiles are used in several real-world situations, particularly in countries that follow the Imperial system. Below are common use cases:
In the U.S. and the U.K., road signs show distances in miles. GPS apps like Google Maps also provide navigation data in miles depending on regional settings.
Vehicle odometers in these countries measure distance in miles. Fuel efficiency is often given in miles per gallon (MPG).
Runners often use miles to track distance, especially in the U.S. Events like the "10-mile run" or "half marathon (13.1 miles)" are common.
Though nautical miles are preferred at sea and in the air, statute miles are sometimes used for ground-based aviation reports and general reference.
This comparison is essential for travelers moving between metric and Imperial countries. For example, a 100-kilometer road trip in Europe would be approximately 62.1 miles in the U.S.
While most of the world uses kilometers as part of the metric system, a few countries continue to use miles:
| Miles | Kilometers | Meters | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.60934 | 1609.34 | 5,280 |
| 3 | 4.82802 | 4828.02 | 15,840 |
| 5 | 8.0467 | 8,046.7 | 26,400 |
| 10 | 16.0934 | 16,093.4 | 52,800 |
| 100 | 160.934 | 160,934 | 528,000 |
There are exactly 5,280 feet in one mile.
One mile equals 1,609.344 meters.
1 kilometer is approximately 0.621371 miles.
Historically, the mile was based on the Roman “mille passus,” and later standardized in the U.K. as 8 furlongs (each furlong = 660 feet), totaling 5,280 feet.
Yes. A nautical mile is equal to 1.852 km or 1.15078 miles, making it longer than a standard statute mile.
The mile remains an important unit of distance in various fields such as transportation, aviation, athletics, and daily use in countries that rely on Imperial units. While kilometers dominate in global usage, knowing how to convert and understand miles is crucial for travel, international business, and scientific communication. Whether you’re measuring road distances or tracking your next run, miles offer a reliable and familiar unit of measurement.
Need fast conversions? Use our Miles to Kilometers or Miles to Meters calculator to get accurate results instantly.