Kilometers to Miles Converter (km to mi)
Instantly convert between kilometers and miles using this precise tool. Essential for travel planning, civil engineering, and geographic applications. 100% free with no registration required.
Conversion Formula
1 kilometer (km) = 0.621371 miles (mi)
To convert kilometers to miles:
miles = kilometers × 0.621371
Example: 100 km × 0.621371 = 62.1371 mi
Kilometers to Miles Conversion Table
| Kilometers (km) | Miles (mi) |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 0.621371 mi |
| 5 km | 3.106855 mi |
| 10 km | 6.21371 mi |
| 20 km | 12.42742 mi |
| 50 km | 31.06855 mi |
| 100 km | 62.1371 mi |
| 200 km | 124.2742 mi |
| 500 km | 310.6855 mi |
| 1000 km | 621.371 mi |
| 2000 km | 1242.742 mi |
| 5000 km | 3106.855 mi |
Practical Examples
- Marathon distance: 42.195 km = 26.219 mi (standard marathon length)
- Highway segment: 100 km = 62.1371 mi (typical road trip distance)
- City-to-city distance: 300 km = 186.4113 mi (e.g., distance between cities)
Professional Applications
- Transportation: Road trip and logistics planning
- Geography: Mapping and distance calculations
- Civil engineering: Highway and infrastructure design
- Aviation: Flight path and distance measurements
Definition and Background
What is a Kilometer?
A kilometer (km) is a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters. The name comes from:
- Greek “kilo”: meaning thousand
- Greek “metron”: meaning measure
What is a Mile?
The mile (mi) is an imperial unit of length, defined as:
- Exactly 1609.344 meters
- Standardized in 1959 to align with the metric system
Length Units Hierarchy
| Unit | Symbol | Kilometers |
|---|---|---|
| Centimeter | cm | 0.00001 km |
| Meter | m | 0.001 km |
| Kilometer | km | 1 km |
| Inch | in | 0.0000254 km |
| Foot | ft | 0.0003048 km |
| Yard | yd | 0.0009144 km |
| Mile | mi | 1.609344 km |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I use kilometers instead of miles?
Kilometers are the standard unit of length in most countries using the metric system, while miles are used in countries like the US and UK for long distances.
How precise is kilometer measurement?
Kilometers (1 km = 1000 m) are suitable for measuring longer distances, while miles (1 mi = 1.609344 km) are slightly less precise but widely used in imperial systems.
What’s the history of the kilometer?
Introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system, derived from the Greek “kilo” (thousand) and “metron” (measure).
Are kilometers and miles used worldwide?
Kilometers are used globally in countries that adopted the metric system, while miles are primarily used in the US and UK.