Why Convert Miles to Kilometers?
Converting between miles (mi) and kilometers (km) is one of the most common length conversions. Whether for engineering, cooking, travel, or science, knowing how to quickly convert mi to km saves time and prevents errors.
Length conversions between mi 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 Miles to Kilometers
To convert miles to kilometers, use the following formula:
km = mi × 1.609344
Example: 1 mi = 1.609344 km
For example, 5 mi = 8.04672 km, 10 mi = 16.09344 km, and 100 mi = 160.9344 km. Our calculator above performs this conversion instantly with full precision — no rounding errors.
Common Use Cases
- 5K run in miles: 3.1 mi = 4.9889664 km
- Full marathon in miles: 26.2 mi = 42.1648128 km
- Typical highway speed limit (60 mph): 60 mi = 96.56064 km
- One-mile walk (about 15-20 minutes): 1 mi = 1.609344 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 mi 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 mi = 1.609344 km. For quick mental math, remember this base conversion.
- Quick reference: 5 mi = 8.04672 km · 10 mi = 16.09344 km · 25 mi = 40.2336 km · 50 mi = 80.4672 km · 100 mi = 160.9344 km
- Bookmark this page: Save this converter for instant access. It works offline once loaded — no internet needed.
Miles to Kilometers Conversion Table
| mi | km |
|---|---|
| 0.01 mi | 0.01609344 km |
| 0.1 mi | 0.1609344 km |
| 0.5 mi | 0.804672 km |
| 1 mi | 1.609344 km |
| 2 mi | 3.218688 km |
| 5 mi | 8.04672 km |
| 10 mi | 16.09344 km |
| 20 mi | 32.18688 km |
| 50 mi | 80.4672 km |
| 100 mi | 160.9344 km |
| 500 mi | 804.672 km |
| 1000 mi | 1609.344 km |
All values in this table are mathematically exact per NIST SP 811.