Why Convert Li to Kilometers?
Converting between li (里) and kilometers (km) is one of the most common length conversions. Whether for engineering, cooking, travel, or science, knowing how to quickly convert 里 to km saves time and prevents errors.
Length conversions between 里 and km are essential in international travel, construction, and sports. Airline carry-on luggage limits are typically defined in centimeters (55×40×20 cm), but US travelers think in inches. Architects and contractors regularly convert between metric and imperial measurements when working on international projects. In athletics, track distances may be in meters while road races use miles or kilometers.
How to Convert Li to Kilometers
To convert li to kilometers, use the following formula:
km = 里 × 0.5
Example: 1 里 = 0.5 km
For example, 5 里 = 2.5 km, 10 里 = 5 km, and 100 里 = 50 km. Our calculator above performs this conversion instantly with full precision — no rounding errors.
Common Use Cases
- One li (traditional Chinese unit): 1 里 = 0.5 km
- Ten li (a short rural walk): 10 里 = 5 km
- Five li (common in Chinese idioms): 5 里 = 2.5 km
- One hundred li (historical day's march): 100 里 = 50 km
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing similar units: Don't mix up meters (m) with miles (mi) — they differ by a factor of ~1600. Always check the unit symbol.
- Rounding too early: When converting 里 to km, carry at least 4 decimal places in intermediate calculations to avoid compounding errors.
- Forgetting unit labels: Always write the unit symbol after the number. "5.5" is ambiguous — "5.5 km" is clear.
Pro Tips
- Memorize the factor: 1 里 = 0.5 km. For quick mental math, remember this base conversion.
- Quick reference: 5 里 = 2.5 km · 10 里 = 5 km · 25 里 = 12.5 km · 50 里 = 25 km · 100 里 = 50 km
- Bookmark this page: Save this converter for instant access. It works offline once loaded — no internet needed.
Li to Kilometers Conversion Table
| 里 | km |
|---|---|
| 0.01 里 | 0.005 km |
| 0.1 里 | 0.05 km |
| 0.5 里 | 0.25 km |
| 1 里 | 0.5 km |
| 2 里 | 1 km |
| 5 里 | 2.5 km |
| 10 里 | 5 km |
| 20 里 | 10 km |
| 50 里 | 25 km |
| 100 里 | 50 km |
| 500 里 | 250 km |
| 1000 里 | 500 km |
All values in this table are mathematically exact per NIST SP 811.