1 Kilometer to Miles Conversion
Converting 1 kilometer to miles gives approximately 0.6214 miles. This result is based on the fixed conversion factor between these units.
A kilometer is a metric unit of length used worldwide, equal to 1000 meters, whereas miles are imperial units mainly used in the United States and the UK, where 1 mile equals 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet. The conversion uses a precise factor to switch between these measurement systems.
Conversion Result
1 kilometer is equal to 0.6214 miles.
Conversion Tool
Result in miles:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting kilometers into miles multiplies the number of kilometers by 0.621371, which is the exact conversion factor. This works because 1 kilometer equals 0.621371 miles, derived from the ratio of 1 mile (5280 feet) to 1 kilometer (1000 meters). For example, if you have 5 km, then 5 x 0.621371 = 3.10686 miles. This precise factor ensures accurate conversions between the two units.
Conversion Example
- Convert 2 kilometers to miles:
- Step 1: Write down the value: 2 km.
- Step 2: Multiply by 0.621371: 2 x 0.621371 = 1.242742 miles.
- Result: 2 kilometers equals approximately 1.2427 miles.
- Convert 4 kilometers to miles:
- Step 1: Write down 4 km.
- Step 2: 4 x 0.621371 = 2.485484 miles.
- Result: 4 kilometers roughly 2.4855 miles.
- Convert 0.5 kilometers to miles:
- Step 1: Write down 0.5 km.
- Step 2: 0.5 x 0.621371 = 0.3106855 miles.
- Result: Half a kilometer is about 0.3107 miles.
Conversion Chart
| Kilometers | Miles |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -14.9029 |
| -23.0 | -14.2914 |
| -22.0 | -13.6799 |
| -21.0 | -13.0684 |
| -20.0 | -12.4569 |
| -19.0 | -11.8454 |
| -18.0 | -11.2339 |
| -17.0 | -10.6224 |
| -16.0 | -10.0109 |
| -15.0 | -9.3994 |
| -14.0 | -8.7879 |
| -13.0 | -8.1764 |
| -12.0 | -7.5649 |
| -11.0 | -6.9534 |
| -10.0 | -6.3419 |
| -9.0 | -5.7304 |
| -8.0 | -5.1189 |
| -7.0 | -4.5074 |
| -6.0 | -3.8959 |
| -5.0 | -3.2844 |
| -4.0 | -2.6729 |
| -3.0 | -2.0614 |
| -2.0 | -1.4499 |
| -1.0 | -0.8384 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1.0 | 0.6214 |
| 2.0 | 1.2428 |
| 3.0 | 1.8642 |
| 4.0 | 2.4857 |
| 5.0 | 3.1071 |
| 6.0 | 3.7285 |
| 7.0 | 4.3499 |
| 8.0 | 4.9714 |
| 9.0 | 5.5928 |
| 10.0 | 6.2143 |
| 11.0 | 6.8357 |
| 12.0 | 7.4571 |
| 13.0 | 8.0786 |
| 14.0 | 8.7000 |
| 15.0 | 9.3214 |
| 16.0 | 9.9429 |
| 17.0 | 10.5643 |
| 18.0 | 11.1857 |
| 19.0 | 11.8071 |
| 20.0 | 12.4286 |
| 21.0 | 13.0500 |
| 22.0 | 13.6714 |
| 23.0 | 14.2928 |
| 24.0 | 14.9143 |
| 25.0 | 15.5357 |
| 26.0 | 16.1571 |
Use this chart to quickly find equivalent miles for any given kilometers within this range, understanding that the conversion is linear and based on the fixed ratio 0.621371.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many miles are in 1 kilometer if I round differently?
- What is the exact mile equivalent of 1 kilometer with more decimal places?
- Can I convert 1 km to miles manually without calculator?
- What is the difference between miles and kilometers for short distances?
- How does the conversion factor change if I use imperial units instead of US customary units?
- What is the approximate miles for 1 km in different countries?
- Is there a quick way to estimate miles from kilometers for travel planning?
Conversion Definitions
Kilometer
A kilometer is a metric measurement of length equal to 1000 meters, used worldwide for distance measurement in transportation, geography, and scientific contexts. It is part of the metric system and standardized across most countries outside of the US and UK.
Miles
Miles are imperial units measuring distance, primarily used in the US and UK. One mile comprises 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards, and it is common for measuring longer distances like road miles, running routes, and aviation routes outside metric countries.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the conversion factor between kilometers and miles exactly 0.621371?
This factor is based on the ratio of a mile to a kilometer, with 1 mile being exactly 1,609.344 meters and a kilometer being 1000 meters. Dividing 1609.344 by 1000 gives 1.609344, and taking the reciprocal yields approximately 0.621371, ensuring precise conversions.
Can I convert kilometers to miles without a calculator?
Yes, by using approximate mental math: multiplying the number of kilometers by 0.62 gives a close estimate to miles. For more accuracy, remember the factor 0.621371. For example, 3 km roughly equals 3 x 0.62 = 1.86 miles, which is close enough for many purposes.
How accurate is the conversion when using the 0.6214 approximation?
The 0.6214 approximation provides a result within a few thousandths of the exact value. For most everyday uses, this is sufficiently accurate, but for high-precision scientific calculations, using 0.621371 is better. The small difference might matter in precise engineering or navigation.
Is the conversion from kilometers to miles linear and applicable for all values?
Yes, the conversion is linear because the units are based on fixed ratios. Multiplying any number of kilometers by 0.621371 will give the equivalent miles, regardless of the size of the distance, making it a reliable and consistent conversion method.