About Miles to Kilometers Conversion

The mile-to-kilometer conversion is essential for travelers, runners, and anyone dealing with international distances. While the US, UK, and a few other countries use miles for road distances, most of the world uses kilometers.

When You Need This Conversion

International driving — Rental car odometers abroad often display km, and road signs show distances in km
Marathon running — Race distances are officially measured in kilometers (5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon)
Travel planning — Calculating driving times when distances are given in the other unit
GPS and maps — Switching between unit systems on navigation apps

The Conversion Factor

One mile equals exactly 1.609344 kilometers. For quick mental math, multiply miles by 1.6 to get a close approximation.

The Marathon Example

A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.195 km. This distance was standardized at the 1908 London Olympics to accommodate the royal family's viewing preferences — a quirky bit of history that explains the unusual number.

How to Convert Miles to Km

Using This Tool

Enter miles in the top field
Read kilometers instantly below
Copy the result for use in trip planning

For Road Trips

When planning drives in metric countries:

100 miles = 161 km (about 2 hours at highway speeds)
250 miles = 402 km (a typical day's drive)
500 miles = 805 km (a long driving day)

For Runners

Common race distances:

5K = 3.1 miles
10K = 6.2 miles
Half marathon = 13.1 miles = 21.1 km
Marathon = 26.2 miles = 42.2 km

Speed Conversion Tip

To convert mph to km/h, use the same factor: 60 mph × 1.6 = 96 km/h. Highway speeds of 70 mph equal about 113 km/h.

Features

Travel-Ready Reference

The quick reference table shows common driving and running distances. See marathon segments, typical road trip distances, and highway benchmarks at a glance.

Instant Conversion

Results appear as you type. No need to press enter or click a button — perfect for quick calculations while planning.

Two-Way Conversion

Need km to miles? Enter kilometers in the bottom field or click swap. Works both ways without leaving the page.

Copy Function

Copy the numerical value with one click. Paste directly into Google Maps, trip planners, or travel documents.

Works Everywhere

Mobile-friendly — Use on your phone while traveling
No app install — Works in any browser
Offline capable — Functions after initial page load

Frequently Asked Questions

How many km is 1 mile?

1 mile equals exactly 1.609344 kilometers. For quick estimates, use 1.6 km per mile.

Why does the UK use miles but kilometers appear on some products?

The UK uses miles for road distances and speed limits but adopted the metric system for most other purposes. This creates a hybrid system where fuel is sold in liters but economy is measured in miles per gallon.

How long is a marathon in km?

A marathon is exactly 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles). This distance was standardized at the 1908 London Olympics.

Is a 5K race 5 miles?

No, a 5K is 5 kilometers, which equals 3.1 miles. Similarly, a 10K is 6.2 miles, not 10 miles.

How do I convert driving distances for a road trip?

Multiply your mileage by 1.6 to get kilometers. For trip time estimates, remember that 100 km at 100 km/h takes 1 hour — the math is simpler in metric!

Miles to Kilometers