How far is a kilometer in miles?

One kilometer is equal to 0.6214 miles. Multiplying the number of kilometers by 0.6214 reveals the equivalent number of miles. For example, a 5-kilometer race is equal to approximately 3.11 miles; likewise a 10-kilometer race covers 6.22 miles.

Converting miles to kilometers involves dividing the number of miles by 0.6214. Five miles, therefore, equals approximately 8 kilometers. A marathon covers 26.2 miles. Dividing 26.2 by 0.6214 gives the number of kilometers, and the answer is 42.2 kilometers. Since a kilometer is 1,000 meters, figuring meters is easily accomplished by multiplying the number of kilometers by 1,000. A marathon, then, is 42,200 meters.