Miles to KM Converter
Convert miles to kilometres and back with our instant calculator. One mile equals 1.60934 kilometres. The UK uses miles for road distances — making this an essential converter for travel, running and navigation.
Britain is one of only three countries still using miles for road distances alongside Myanmar and the United States. Every UK road sign shows distances in miles, making the miles-to-km conversion vital for anyone using a European sat-nav or running app.
Miles to KM — Distance Reference Table
Frequently Asked Questions
Miles to KM Converter — common questions answered
How many km is 1 mile?
One mile is equal to 1.60934 kilometres. The simple approximation is that 1 mile is roughly 1.6 km.
How many miles is 1 km?
One kilometre is equal to 0.62137 miles. As a rough guide, 5 miles is approximately 8 km.
Why does the UK use miles?
The UK retained miles for road distances when it adopted the metric system in the 1970s. Changing all road signs was deemed too costly. The UK is legally required to keep miles on road signs under current legislation.
How far is a marathon in km?
A marathon is 26.2 miles, which equals 42.195 kilometres. A half marathon is 13.1 miles or 21.097 km.
How do I convert km to miles quickly?
A quick mental calculation: divide km by 8 and multiply by 5. For example, 80 km ÷ 8 × 5 = 50 miles. For more accuracy use our calculator above.