Kilometers vs Miles: A Side-by-Side

When the difference matters and when it doesn't.

4 min read 3 sections Updated May 11, 2026
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Side by side

KilometerMile
Defined as1,000 m1,609.344 m
OriginMetric system (1795)Roman mille passus (5,000 ft)
Used by~98% of countriesUS, UK road signs, aviation horizontal distance
Marathon42.195 km26.2188 mi

Speed conversions

mphkm/h
25 (residential)40
3556
5589
65105
70113
100161

Convert any distance or speed

mph ↔ km/h

Mile / Hour (mph)

Kilometer / Hour (km/h)

Unit1 mph equals
Meter / Second (m/s)0.44704
Kilometer / Hour (km/h)1.60934
Mile / Hour (mph)1
Foot / Second (ft/s)1.46667
Knot (kn)0.868977
Mach (Ma)0.00130332

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