Bhuvan PoudelHow kilometres and miles are converted
The mile is defined against the metre, so the conversion is one multiply or divide with an exact factor.
miles = kilometres ÷ 1.609344, and kilometres = miles × 1.609344
- Divide your kilometres by 1.609344 to get miles. To go back, multiply the miles by 1.609344.
- One mile is exactly 1,609.344 metres by definition, so the only rounding here happens when the answer is shown.
- A yard is 3 feet and a mile is 1,760 yards, so the same distance can be read in either of those units.
- For a rough mental check, one kilometre is about 0.62 of a mile, so 10 km is a little over 6 miles.
Worked example: 10 km ÷ 1.609344 = 6.21 miles, which is 6,213.7 yards or 10,000 m.
Common distances converted
| Kilometres | Miles | Metres | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 0.62 mi | 1,000 m | 1,094 yd |
| 5 km | 3.11 mi | 5,000 m | 5,468 yd |
| 10 km | 6.21 mi | 10,000 m | 10,936 yd |
| 21.098 km | 13.11 mi | 21,098 m | 23,073 yd |
| 42.195 km | 26.22 mi | 42,195 m | 46,145 yd |
| 100 km | 62.14 mi | 100,000 m | 109,361 yd |
| 300 km | 186.41 mi | 300,000 m | 328,084 yd |
Swipe the table sideways to see the rest.
To go the other way, choose the Miles to kilometres direction.
Things to consider
- Running events are set in metric but often quoted in miles. A 5K is 3.11 miles, a half marathon 13.11 miles and a marathon 26.22 miles.
- For a trip, work the distance out once and keep both figures. Fuel estimates and journey times are usually set up in one unit or the other.
- A pace of 5 minutes per kilometre is about 8 minutes 3 seconds per mile, so pace charts only work if the units match.
- Map scales and road signs follow the unit the country uses. Check which one a route guide is written in before you compare distances.
Frequently asked questions
How many miles is a kilometre?
About 0.62 mi. One mile is exactly 1.609344 km.
How many kilometres is 5 miles?
8.05 km. Five miles is exactly 8,046.72 metres.
Is a marathon 26 miles or 42 kilometres?
Both. The marathon distance is 42.195 km, which is 26.22 miles.
Why is a mile 1.609344 kilometres?
The mile is legally defined as 5,280 feet of 0.3048 metres each, which works out to exactly 1,609.344 metres.
Do I need to round the answer?
Only for display. Distances are usually given to one decimal place, and race results to two.