MinimalistKilometers vs miles: a cheat sheet for walkers and runners
One kilometer is 0.62 miles, and one mile is 1.61 kilometers. For quick mental math, multiply kilometers by 0.6 to get miles, or multiply miles by 1.6 to get kilometers. The tables below cover the conversions walkers and runners actually use: race distances, pace, speed and monthly goals.
Bookmark this page if you switch between units, follow a plan written in the “other” system, or just want to know what a 5K means in miles.
The two numbers to remember
- 1 km = 0.621 miles
- 1 mile = 1.609 km
Everything else on this page comes from those two figures. A kilometer is a little over half a mile; a mile is a little over one and a half kilometers.
Mental math tricks that actually work
Kilometers to miles: halve it, then add a tenth
Take half the kilometers, then add a tenth of the original number. For 10 km: half is 5, a tenth is 1, so about 6 miles. The real answer is 6.2, close enough on the move.
Miles to kilometers: double it, then take off a fifth
Double the miles, then subtract a fifth of that result. For 5 miles: double is 10, a fifth of 10 is 2, so 8 km. The real answer is 8.05.
The neat pairs
Some pairs line up almost perfectly and are easy to remember: 5 km ≈ 3 miles, 8 km ≈ 5 miles, 13 km ≈ 8 miles and 21 km ≈ 13 miles. Each is off by less than 4%.
Common distances in both units
| Distance | Kilometers | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kilometer | 1.0 | 0.62 |
| 1 mile | 1.61 | 1.0 |
| 2 miles | 3.22 | 2.0 |
| 5K | 5.0 | 3.11 |
| 5 miles | 8.05 | 5.0 |
| 10K | 10.0 | 6.21 |
| 15K | 15.0 | 9.32 |
| Half marathon | 21.1 | 13.1 |
| Marathon | 42.2 | 26.2 |
If a 5K is on your horizon, our 8-week first 5K plan gets you there from scratch.
Pace: minutes per km vs minutes per mile
Pace is the trickiest conversion, because a smaller number means faster. To convert, multiply minutes per km by 1.609 to get minutes per mile, or divide minutes per mile by 1.609 to go the other way. Or just use the table:
| Pace per km | Pace per mile | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 | 8:03 | Steady running |
| 5:30 | 8:51 | Steady running |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | Comfortable running |
| 6:30 | 10:28 | Easy running |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | Easy running |
| 7:30 | 12:04 | Beginner running, run-walk |
| 8:00 | 12:52 | Beginner running, run-walk |
| 10:00 | 16:06 | Brisk walking |
| 12:00 | 19:19 | Average walking |
| 15:00 | 24:08 | Leisurely walking |
A worked example: a training plan says “run 3 miles at 11:00 per mile,” but your tracker shows kilometers. Three miles is 4.8 km, and 11:00 per mile divided by 1.609 is about 6:50 per km. So you’re aiming for roughly 4.8 km at just under 7 minutes per kilometer, which should take about 33 minutes either way. Time is the one number that never needs converting.
The “typical for” column is a loose guide, not a standard. Plenty of runners are happy at 8:00 per km and plenty of walkers move faster than 10:00. For what’s realistic when you’re starting out, see what’s a good running pace for beginners.
Speed: km/h vs mph
| km/h | mph | mph | km/h | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 3.2 | |
| 5 | 3.1 | 3 | 4.8 | |
| 6 | 3.7 | 4 | 6.4 | |
| 8 | 5.0 | 5 | 8.0 | |
| 10 | 6.2 | 6 | 9.7 | |
| 12 | 7.5 | 7 | 11.3 |
Treadmills in the US usually show mph; in most other countries, km/h. Speed and pace describe the same thing; pace vs speed explains when each is handier.
Monthly and weekly goals in both units
Goals are where unit mix-ups cause the most confusion. “100 this month” is a very different target in miles than in kilometers.
| Goal (km) | In miles | About per day (30-day month) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 km | 18.6 mi | 1 km / 0.6 mi |
| 50 km | 31.1 mi | 1.7 km / 1.0 mi |
| 100 km | 62.1 mi | 3.3 km / 2.1 mi |
| 150 km | 93.2 mi | 5 km / 3.1 mi |
| 200 km | 124.3 mi | 6.7 km / 4.1 mi |
A 100-mile month, for comparison, is about 161 km, or roughly 5.4 km a day. If you’re choosing a target, our guide to setting a monthly walking goal helps you pick one you’ll actually hit.
Should you use kilometers or miles?
Use whatever your local signs, races and walking routes use. That way distance markers, trail signs and event names line up with your tracker. In the US and UK, miles are common for road signs and everyday talk, though races everywhere are usually named in kilometers: a 5K is a 5K in any country.
Some practical points:
- Kilometers give you more frequent milestones. Many beginners like ticking off a unit every 10–12 minutes of walking rather than every 20.
- Miles feel more meaningful to some people because they grew up with them. Familiarity helps motivation.
- Don’t switch back and forth. Pick one so your history and goals are easy to compare.
If you follow a plan written in the other unit, don’t switch your tracker back and forth to match it. Convert the plan once, write the numbers down in your unit, and keep your history consistent. Small rounding differences, such as treating 5 km as 3 miles, won’t change anything meaningful for everyday training.
Most tracking apps let you choose. In Minimalist you can switch between kilometers and miles, and your distances, pace and monthly goal are shown in the unit you pick.
FAQ
How many miles is a 5K?
A 5K is 3.11 miles. People usually round it to 3.1.
Is a kilometer longer than a mile?
No. A mile is longer: about 1.6 kilometers. A kilometer is about 0.6 miles.
How long does it take to walk a kilometer vs a mile?
At an average pace, about 12 minutes per kilometer and 19–20 minutes per mile. See how long it takes to walk a mile or a kilometer for a full table.