Convert Speed from Kilometer per hour (km/h) to other units
Multiple conversions

What is km/h? Your Guide to the World's Speed Unit

Commonly abbreviated as km/h or kph, kilometers per hour is the most common unit of speed measurement worldwide.

Whether you're looking at a car's speedometer in Europe or traffic signs in Australia, km/h indicates the distance (in kilometers) you can travel in one hour.

In this guide, we'll break down what km/h represents, where it's commonly used, and how to easily convert it to other units of measurement.

Why is km/h the Global Standard for Speed?

The main reason km/h is used so widely is its connection to the metric system, the standard for measurement in most countries.

This global consistency makes everything from international travel to engineering much simpler.

You'll see km/h on speed limits and car dashboards in most parts of the world, including:

• Europe
• Canada
• Australia
• Asia
• South America

The most notable exceptions are the United States and the United Kingdom, which primarily use miles per hour (mph).

How Do You Convert km/h to Other Speed Units?

Converting kilometers per hour (km/h) to other units, such as miles per hour (mph) and meters per second (m/s), is often advantageous.

Below are two straightforward formulas:

km/h → mph: multiply by 0.6214.

• Example: 100 km/h × 0.6214 ≈ 62.14 mph

km/h → m/s: divide by 3.6.

• Example: 100 km/h ÷ 3.6 ≈ 27.78 m/s

What is the History of km/h?

The concept of km/h originated from the metric system, which was developed in France during the late 18th century.

As new technologies, such as trains and cars, appeared in the 19th century, people needed a practical way to measure their speed.

By combining the kilometer (1,000 meters) with the hour, they created a unit that was perfect for measuring travel over long distances.

As a result, kilometers per hour became a suitable and convenient measure for fields like science, engineering, and daily activities.