Length Converter

Convert a length value between metric and US customary units such as meters, kilometers, inches, feet, and miles.

What is a length conversion?

A length conversion expresses the same distance in a different unit. This Converter multiplies the entered value by a fixed factor that relates the source unit to the target unit through meters as the common base.

Formula

Converted value = Input value × (Source unit to meters) ÷ (Target unit to meters). For example, 1 mile equals 1,609.344 meters and 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters, so 1 mile converts to 1.609344 kilometers.

Worked example

To convert 1 mile to kilometers, multiply 1 by 1,609.344 and divide by 1,000. The result is 1.609344 kilometers.

Assumptions and limitations

The Converter uses standard international definitions for metric units and US survey definitions for customary length units. Values must be zero or greater. It does not model measurement uncertainty, significant figures beyond display rounding, or nautical miles.

Common questions

Which units are supported?

Meters, kilometers, centimeters, millimeters, inches, feet, yards, and miles. Are US and imperial units the same here? This Converter uses the US customary inch definition of exactly 0.0254 meters. Can I convert negative lengths? No. Length values must be zero or greater in this model.

Methodology

Each unit stores a fixed multiplier to meters. The Converter multiplies the input by the source multiplier, divides by the target multiplier, and rounds only for display.