Distance Converter
Convert between metric and imperial distance units with precision
Convert Distance Units
Common Conversions
1 meter3.281 feet
1 kilometer0.621 miles
1 mile1.609 km
1 inch2.54 cm
1 foot30.48 cm
1 yard0.914 meters
1 nautical mile1.852 km
Conversion Tips
💡
Metric system uses base-10 multipliers (10, 100, 1000)
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Imperial system: 12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard
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Nautical miles are used for navigation at sea and in aviation
🔬
Scientific notation is used for very large or small distances
Distance Conversion Table
| Unit | mm | cm | m | km | in | ft | yd | mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mm | 1 | 0.1 | 0.001 | 1×10⁻⁶ | 0.0394 | 0.00328 | 0.00109 | 6.21×10⁻⁷ |
| 1 cm | 10 | 1 | 0.01 | 1×10⁻⁵ | 0.394 | 0.0328 | 0.0109 | 6.21×10⁻⁶ |
| 1 m | 1000 | 100 | 1 | 0.001 | 39.37 | 3.281 | 1.094 | 0.000621 |
| 1 km | 1×10⁶ | 1×10⁵ | 1000 | 1 | 39370 | 3281 | 1094 | 0.621 |
| 1 in | 25.4 | 2.54 | 0.0254 | 2.54×10⁻⁵ | 1 | 0.0833 | 0.0278 | 1.58×10⁻⁵ |
| 1 ft | 304.8 | 30.48 | 0.3048 | 0.0003048 | 12 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.000189 |
| 1 yd | 914.4 | 91.44 | 0.9144 | 0.0009144 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 0.000568 |
| 1 mi | 1.61×10⁶ | 1.61×10⁵ | 1609 | 1.609 | 63360 | 5280 | 1760 | 1 |
Understanding Distance Conversion
Metric System
The metric system is based on powers of 10, making conversions straightforward. The base unit is the meter, defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
- •Nanometer (nm): One billionth of a meter (10⁻⁹ m)
- •Micrometer (μm): One millionth of a meter (10⁻⁶ m)
- •Millimeter (mm): One thousandth of a meter (10⁻³ m)
- •Centimeter (cm): One hundredth of a meter (10⁻² m)
- •Kilometer (km): One thousand meters (10³ m)
Conversion Examples
- • 5 km = 5 × 1000 = 5,000 meters
- • 250 cm = 250 ÷ 100 = 2.5 meters
- • 1500 mm = 1500 ÷ 1000 = 1.5 meters
Imperial System
The imperial system uses traditional units with historical origins. Conversions are based on specific ratios rather than powers of 10.
- •Inch (in): Exactly 2.54 centimeters
- •Foot (ft): 12 inches = 30.48 centimeters
- •Yard (yd): 3 feet = 36 inches = 0.9144 meters
- •Mile (mi): 5,280 feet = 1,760 yards = 1.609 km
- •Nautical Mile: 1,852 meters (used in navigation)
Practical Applications
- • Construction and architecture measurements
- • Sports field dimensions and records
- • Travel distances and navigation
- • Scientific research and engineering
- • International trade and manufacturing