A kilometer is a metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters. It is used for road distances, geography, travel, maps, races, route planning, and large-scale distance measurement.
Quick facts
- Unit name
- kilometer
- British spelling
- kilometre
- Symbol
- km
- Quantity
- length
- System
- metric system
- Exact relation
- 1 km = 1,000 m
- Mile relation
- 1 km = 0.6213711922 mi
- Centimeter relation
- 1 km = 100,000 cm
Visual scale
A kilometer is a large everyday distance: useful for towns, routes, races, and map scale.
Definition and exact value
The prefix kilo- means one thousand, so one kilometer is exactly one thousand meters.
Symbol and spelling
The standard symbol is km. Kilometer is common in US English; kilometre is common in British and international English. The symbol stays km.
How big is one kilometer?
A kilometer is suited for distance at neighborhood, road, race, and map scale. It is too large for object dimensions but natural for travel and outdoor routes.
Walking scale
A kilometer is often a short walk, depending on pace and terrain.
Road scale
Most countries use kilometers for road distances and speed limits.
Race scale
5 km and 10 km events are common running distances.
Kilometer vs mile
The kilometer is metric; the mile is customary and imperial. One mile equals exactly 1.609344 kilometers, so one kilometer is about 0.6213711922 miles.
Common uses
- Road signs, maps, travel distance, and route planning.
- Running, cycling, hiking, and race distances.
- Geography, city distance, elevation routes, and large-scale surveying.
- Vehicle speed contexts when paired with hours as kilometers per hour.
How kilometers are measured
Kilometers are usually measured by maps, odometers, GPS, measuring wheels, or surveyed coordinate systems rather than by handheld rulers.
Conversion formulas
Kilometer conversion table
| Kilometers | Meters | Miles | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 1,000 m | 0.6213711922 mi | 3,280.839895 ft |
| 5 km | 5,000 m | 3.106855961 mi | 16,404.19948 ft |
| 10 km | 10,000 m | 6.213711922 mi | 32,808.39895 ft |
Common mistakes
- Confusing kilometers and meters: 1 km equals 1,000 m.
- Using 1.6 as exact for mile conversion; 1 mile is exactly 1.609344 km.
- Writing kms instead of km as a symbol.
Related Xunits pages
Kilometer converters
Length references
FAQ
How many meters are in one kilometer?
One kilometer equals exactly 1,000 meters.
How many miles are in one kilometer?
One kilometer equals about 0.6213711922 miles.
What is the symbol for kilometer?
The standard symbol is km.
Is kilometer metric?
Yes. The kilometer is a metric length unit based on the meter.