Updated September 2026
Mile to Kilometer
Instantly convert mile to kilometer with fast, accurate, real-time results.
Contents
Converting miles to kilometres is one of the most common unit conversions worldwide. The United States, United Kingdom, and a handful of other countries use miles for road distances and speed limits, while most of the world uses kilometres. Whether you're planning a road trip, reading a race guide, or decoding a foreign speed limit, this converter has you covered.
The international mile is defined as exactly 1609.344 metres, which gives the conversion factor of 1.609344 km per mile. For everyday use, 1.609 km/mi (or even the rough approximation 1.6) is precise enough for most purposes.
The Conversion Formula
Exact definition:
1 mile = 1,609.344 metres = 1.609344 km
For a quick mental estimate, multiply miles by 1.6 — the error is only 0.2% at this approximation, less than 200 metres per 100 km. An even faster trick: add the miles to half the miles (miles + miles/2 ≈ 1.5×), then add another 10% for a closer result.
Visual Guide
Running & Cycling Distances
| Distance (miles) | Kilometres | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 miles | 0.402 km | 400m track (approx) |
| 0.5 miles | 0.805 km | Short sprint / warm-up |
| 1 mile | 1.609 km | Track mile race |
| 3.107 miles | 5.000 km | 5K run |
| 5 miles | 8.047 km | Common training distance |
| 6.214 miles | 10.000 km | 10K race |
| 10 miles | 16.093 km | 10-mile race |
| 13.109 miles | 21.098 km | Half marathon |
| 20 miles | 32.187 km | The marathon "wall" point |
| 26.219 miles | 42.195 km | Marathon |
| 50 miles | 80.467 km | Ultra marathon |
| 100 miles | 160.934 km | 100-mile ultra |
Full Reference Table (1–100 miles)
| Miles | km | Miles | km | Miles | km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mi | 1.609 km | 15 mi | 24.14 km | 60 mi | 96.56 km |
| 2 mi | 3.219 km | 20 mi | 32.19 km | 65 mi | 104.61 km |
| 3 mi | 4.828 km | 25 mi | 40.23 km | 70 mi | 112.65 km |
| 4 mi | 6.437 km | 30 mi | 48.28 km | 75 mi | 120.70 km |
| 5 mi | 8.047 km | 35 mi | 56.33 km | 80 mi | 128.75 km |
| 6 mi | 9.656 km | 40 mi | 64.37 km | 85 mi | 136.79 km |
| 7 mi | 11.265 km | 45 mi | 72.42 km | 90 mi | 144.84 km |
| 8 mi | 12.875 km | 50 mi | 80.47 km | 95 mi | 152.89 km |
| 9 mi | 14.484 km | 55 mi | 88.51 km | 100 mi | 160.93 km |
| 10 mi | 16.093 km | — | — | — | — |
Speed Conversion (mph to km/h)
The same factor converts miles per hour (mph) to kilometres per hour (km/h), since speed is distance per unit time and the time unit doesn't change:
| mph | km/h | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 32.2 km/h | UK residential speed limit |
| 30 mph | 48.3 km/h | UK urban speed limit |
| 50 mph | 80.5 km/h | US suburban highway |
| 60 mph | 96.6 km/h | US highway / UK country road |
| 70 mph | 112.7 km/h | UK motorway limit |
| 100 mph | 160.9 km/h | Performance benchmark |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many km is 1 mile?
1 mile = 1.60934 kilometres (exact: 1.609344 km). The mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 metres. For everyday use, 1.609 km per mile is a sufficiently precise conversion factor.
How many km is 5 miles?
5 miles = 8.047 km. Calculation: 5 × 1.60934 = 8.047 km. Note that a "5K" race is 5.000 km = 3.107 miles — these are not the same distance despite sounding similar.
How far is a marathon in miles and km?
A marathon is exactly 26 miles 385 yards, which equals 26.2188 miles or 42.195 km. This distance was standardised in 1921 by the IAAF. The half marathon is exactly 21.0975 km (13.109 miles).
How do I convert miles to km in my head?
The easiest mental shortcut: multiply miles by 1.6 (add 60% of the miles value). Example: 10 miles → 10 + 6 = 16 km (exact: 16.09). Another trick: multiply by 8 and divide by 5 — e.g., 10 × 8 = 80 ÷ 5 = 16 km. Both methods are accurate to within 0.5% at everyday distances.
What is 100 miles in km?
100 miles = 160.934 km. This is why a "century" cycling ride (100 miles) is sometimes described as a 160 km ride in metric countries.
Which countries use miles instead of kilometres?
The main countries using miles for road distances are the United States, the United Kingdom, Liberia, and Myanmar. The UK uses miles on road signs but kilometres in many other contexts (e.g., athletic events use 5K, 10K). The rest of the world uses kilometres. Note that the UK uses mph for speed limits while most of Europe uses km/h.
Sources
Related Distance Converters
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