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Single conversion
To convert from Kilometer (km) to Meter (m), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Kilometer (km) to Meter (m).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Kilometer (km) is equal to Meter (m).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Kilometer (km) to Meter (m):
| Kilometers | Meters |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 km | m |
| 0.001 km | m |
| 0.1 km | m |
| 1 km | m |
| 2 km | m |
| 3 km | m |
| 4 km | m |
| 5 km | m |
| 6 km | m |
| 7 km | m |
| 8 km | m |
| 9 km | m |
| 10 km | m |
| 20 km | m |
| 30 km | m |
| 40 km | m |
| 50 km | m |
| 100 km | m |
| 1000 km | m |
| 10000 km | m |
For all Length converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to 1,000 meters.
The plural form is kilometers.
The term "kilometer" is composed of two parts: the metric unit "meter" and the Greek prefix "kilo," which comes from the word "khilioi," meaning "thousand."
Thus, a kilometer translates to one thousand meters.
This concept is a fundamental aspect of the decimal-based metric system, established in France during the 1790s. The logical, prefix-based nature of the metric system simplifies conversions, which is a key reason for its widespread adoption.
The kilometer is the official unit of measurement for geographical distance in the vast majority of countries worldwide.
Only a few nations still primarily use the mile for road signage and navigation, most notably:
For international travel, science, and sporting events like marathons and the Olympics, the kilometer is the universally accepted standard.
To understand how far a kilometer is, consider these real-world examples:
This consistent unit of measurement makes it easy to compare everything from everyday travel to distances in space.
The meter (m) is the foundational unit of length in the metric system, a standard of measurement used worldwide.
Simply put, it's used to measure the distance or separation between things.
The plural form is meters.
The original definition of the meter dates back to 1793.
The French Academy of Sciences established it as exactly one ten-millionth (1/10,000,000) of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator (measured along a line passing through Paris).
This ambitious goal was to create a universal unit based on a natural feature of the Earth itself.
Today, the modern definition is far more precise and is based on a universal constant: the speed of light.
Since 1983, the meter has been officially defined as the distance that light travels in a vacuum in exactly 1/299,792,458 of a second.
This modern definition ensures that the meter is incredibly stable and can be accurately reproduced in any lab around the world.
As one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI), the meter is essential for calculating many other derived units.
For example, the meter is used to measure:
The meter serves as a fundamental unit in scientific and engineering measurements worldwide.