Convert km to miles
Convert kilometers to miles
How to Use the Kilometers to Miles Converter
Enter a value in the kilometers field
The equivalent value in miles will be calculated instantly
Alternatively, enter a value in miles to convert to kilometers
Copy the result with one click using the copy button
What is a Kilometer?
A kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to 1,000 meters or about 0.621 miles. It's the standard unit for measuring distances between geographical places in most countries worldwide. Kilometers are commonly used for:
- Road distances and speed limits in most countries
- Running and walking distances in sports and fitness tracking
- Geographic measurements on maps
- Scientific measurements and calculations
What is a Mile?
A mile is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, or about 1.609 kilometers. Miles are primarily used in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries for:
- Road distances and speed limits
- Running and walking distances (e.g., the "mile run")
- Aviation and nautical measurements (though nautical miles differ from statute miles)
- Land measurement and property descriptions
Kilometers to Miles Conversion Formula
To convert kilometers to miles, use the following formula:
Miles = Kilometers × 0.621371
To convert miles to kilometers, use this formula:
Kilometers = Miles × 1.60934
Why Convert Between Kilometers and Miles?
Converting between kilometers and miles is essential for various practical reasons:
- International travel: Understanding distances when traveling between countries that use different measurement systems
- Fitness tracking: Converting running or cycling distances between apps that use different units
- Educational purposes: Learning and understanding different measurement systems
- International business: Working with distance specifications from different countries
- Reading international news and literature that may use unfamiliar units
FAQs About Kilometers to Miles Conversion
How many miles are in 1 kilometer?
There are approximately 0.621371 miles in 1 kilometer.
How many kilometers are in 1 mile?
There are approximately 1.60934 kilometers in 1 mile.
How do I convert 5 kilometers to miles?
To convert 5 kilometers to miles, multiply 5 by 0.621371. The result is 3.10686 miles.
Which is longer, a kilometer or a mile?
A mile is longer than a kilometer. One mile equals approximately 1.60934 kilometers, making it about 60.9% longer than a kilometer.
Why do some countries use kilometers while others use miles?
Most countries use kilometers as part of the metric system, which was adopted for its decimal-based simplicity. The United States, United Kingdom (for road distances), and a few other countries continue to use miles due to historical precedent and the costs associated with changing established systems.
How accurate is the km to miles conversion?
The standard conversion factor (1 km = 0.621371 miles) is highly accurate for most practical purposes. Our calculator uses this precise conversion factor to ensure accurate results.
What is a 5K race in miles?
A 5K race is 5 kilometers, which equals approximately 3.11 miles.
How can I estimate km to miles without a calculator?
For a quick mental conversion, you can use the approximation that 1 km is about 0.6 miles. For a slightly more accurate estimate, you can use the Fibonacci sequence: 3 km ≈ 2 miles, 5 km ≈ 3 miles, 8 km ≈ 5 miles, and so on.