We measure speed all the time, from how fast we’re driving to how quickly a baseball is pitched. In the US, we usually talk about speed in miles per hour (mph), but many other countries use kilometers per hour (km/h).
This article will explain the conversion between mph and km/h, so you can easily switch between the two.
Miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h): What’s the difference?
Both miles per hour and kilometers per hour are units used to measure speed, but they’re based on different systems of measurement.
Miles per hour (mph)
Miles per hour expresses the number of miles traveled in an hour. It’s part of the Imperial and US customary systems of measurement. You’ll find it used in the US, the UK, and related territories, as well as in the Canadian rail system. One mile is equal to 5,280 feet or 1,609.344 meters.
Kilometers per hour (km/h)
Kilometers per hour expresses the number of kilometers traveled in an hour. It’s part of the metric system. It’s the most common way to measure speed around the world, and you’ll often see it on road signs and car speedometers. One kilometer equals 1,000 meters.
The Conversion Factor
So, how do you actually do the conversion? Here’s the key:
- One mile per hour (mph) is exactly 1.609344 kilometers per hour (km/h).
- One kilometer per hour (km/h) is about 0.621371 miles per hour (mph).
Using these numbers precisely is super important for accurate conversions, especially in fields like science and engineering.
How to convert mph to km/h
Converting miles per hour to kilometers per hour is pretty simple. Just multiply the mph number by 1.609344. That’s it!
For instance, let’s say you want to convert 60 mph to km/h. You’d do the following calculation:
60 mph 1.609344 = 96.56 km/h (approximately)
See? Easy peasy.
How to convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour
To convert from km/h to mph, just divide by 1.609344.
So, for example, if you want to convert 100 km/h into miles per hour, you just do this:
100 km/h / 1.609344 = 62.14 mph (approximately)
It’s that simple!
Practical uses for MPH and km/h conversions
Converting between miles per hour and kilometers per hour can be useful in a lot of situations. For example:
- When you’re driving in another country that uses a different system of measurement, you’ll want to know how fast you’re going.
- It helps to know how to convert when you’re reading about cars and trucks.
- Math and physics students need to know how to convert so they can solve word problems about speed, distance, and time.
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to convert between mph and km/h is an essential skill for travel, science, and everyday life.
If you ever need to make a conversion, remember these formulas:
- To convert mph to km/h, multiply by 1.609344.
- To convert km/h to mph, divide by 1.609344.