Convert Length from Mile to Foot (mi to ft)
Multiple conversions

Mile to Foot Conversion Formula

To convert from Mile (mi) to Foot (ft), use the following formula:

Example

Let's convert 5 Mile (mi) to Foot (ft).

Using the formula:

Therefore, 5 Mile (mi) is equal to $26400$ Foot (ft).

What is a Mile (mi)?

A mile (mi) is a common unit of length used in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement.

The official definition of a mile is 5,280 feet (ft). The plural form is miles.

Where Did the Word "Mile" Come From?

The word "mile" has ancient roots, originating from the Latin phrase "mille passus," which translates to "a thousand paces."

In ancient Rome, one pace was measured as two steps (one left and one right). The Roman mile was therefore 1,000 paces, which equals approximately 4,850 feet—slightly shorter than the modern mile.

What's the Difference Between a Statute Mile and a Nautical Mile?

Not all miles are created equal. While most people are familiar with the land mile, there is also a separate measurement used for air and sea travel.

The Statute Mile (Land Mile)

The commonly used mile on land is the statute mile, which is officially defined as 5,280 feet. This measurement is used for driving distances and most other land-based activities in the imperial system.

The Nautical Mile (Air and Sea)

The nautical mile is used for navigation in aviation and maritime settings. It is based on the Earth's circumference and is equal to one minute of arc of latitude. A nautical mile is longer than a statute mile.

Here's a quick comparison:

• 1 Statute Mile = 5,280 feet
• 1 Nautical Mile = approximately 6,076 feet (or about 1.15 statute miles)

Why Are There 5,280 Feet in a Mile?

The seemingly random number of 5,280 feet in a mile comes from English history. In 1593, the English Parliament, under Queen Elizabeth I, passed a statute to standardize units of measurement.

The statute defined the official length of a mile as being equal to 8 furlongs. Since one furlong was already established as 660 feet, the calculation was simple:

• 8 furlongs × 660 feet = 5,280 feet

This decision solidified the length of the statute mile that we still use today in countries that follow the imperial system.

What is a Foot (ft)?

The foot (ft) is a standard unit of length in the Imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement.

The plural form is feet.

How Many Inches Make a Foot?

There are exactly 12 inches in a foot.

This fundamental conversion is the cornerstone of the Imperial and U.S. customary systems. It's a standard used everywhere, from measuring personal height to completing construction projects.

Additionally, it's helpful to know that 3 feet make one yard.

The History of the Foot Measurement

The origin of the "foot" as a unit of measurement is quite literal—it was historically based on the average length of a human foot.

Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, often used body parts as a basis for measurement.

Because the actual length of a person's foot could vary, so did the measurement. This led to many inconsistencies until the foot was officially standardized.

How Is the Foot Used Today?

Although most of the world uses the metric system, the foot is still an official unit of length in the United States.

It is also commonly used in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada, particularly for measuring height, altitude, and property dimensions.

To establish a global standard, the international foot was defined in 1959 as being exactly 0.3048 meters.

This precise conversion is crucial for international science, trade, and engineering.

What is the imperial system?

Mile to Foot Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Mile (mi) to Foot (ft):