Length Converter

Length conversion: metric vs imperial

The metric system (kilometers, meters, centimeters) is used by most countries. The imperial system (miles, feet, inches) is still common in the US, UK and Canada for some measurements.

Essential conversions to know

1 mile = 1.609 km | 1 km = 0.621 miles | 1 foot = 30.48 cm | 1 inch = 2.54 cm | 1 yard = 0.9144 m. Average human height (5'9") equals 175 cm in metric.

Astronomical units

A light-year is the distance light travels in one year: 9.461 × 10¹⁵ meters. A nautical mile (1,852 m) is used in maritime and aviation navigation, equal to one arcminute of latitude.