MPH to km/h Converter
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MPH to km/h Conversion Guide
Converting from miles per hour (mph) to kilometers per hour (km/h) is essential for international travel, understanding speed limits in different countries, and converting between imperial and metric measurements in various applications.
MPH to km/h Formula
To convert from miles per hour to kilometers per hour:
1 mph = 1.609344 km/h (exactly)km/h = mph × 1.609344
This conversion is based on the international definition of the mile (1,609.344 meters) and the kilometer (1,000 meters).
Common MPH to km/h Conversions
- 5 mph = 8.05 km/h
- 10 mph = 16.09 km/h
- 20 mph = 32.19 km/h
- 25 mph = 40.23 km/h
- 30 mph = 48.28 km/h
- 40 mph = 64.37 km/h
- 50 mph = 80.47 km/h
- 55 mph = 88.51 km/h
- 60 mph = 96.56 km/h
- 70 mph = 112.65 km/h
- 75 mph = 120.70 km/h
- 100 mph = 160.93 km/h
Understanding Speed Units
Speed is the measure of how quickly an object moves from one location to another, defined as distance traveled per unit of time. Two common units for measuring speed are miles per hour and kilometers per hour.
Miles per Hour (mph)
- Standard speed unit in the US and UK
- Used for road speed limits in USA, UK, and some Commonwealth nations
- Based on the imperial mile (5,280 feet)
- Used in automotive specifications in several countries
- Common in weather forecasts for wind speed in the US
Kilometers per Hour (km/h)
- Standard speed unit in most countries worldwide
- Part of the metric system (SI)
- Used for road speed limits in most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Based on the kilometer (1,000 meters)
- Written as km/h, kmh, or kph depending on regional conventions
Common Speed References
Speed Limits Around the World
| Location/Type | US/UK (mph) | Europe/Most World (km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban areas | 25-35 mph | 50 km/h |
| Rural roads | 55-60 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways/Motorways | 65-75 mph | 100-130 km/h |
| German Autobahn (parts) | No limit | No limit |
Transportation Speeds
- Average walking pace: 3-4 mph (5-6.5 km/h)
- Jogging: 5-6 mph (8-10 km/h)
- Cycling (casual): 10-12 mph (16-19 km/h)
- Cycling (racing): 25-30 mph (40-48 km/h)
- High-speed train: 150-220 mph (240-350 km/h)
- Commercial aircraft: 550-600 mph (885-965 km/h)
- Sound speed (sea level): 761 mph (1,225 km/h)
Practical Applications
When to Use This Conversion
- International travel by car
- Understanding foreign speed limits
- Converting vehicle specifications across markets
- Sports statistics conversion (running, cycling, etc.)
- Aviation and marine navigation
- Weather reports when traveling internationally
Quick Estimation Trick
For a quick mental conversion:
- For mph to km/h: multiply by 1.5, then add about 10%
- Example: 60 mph ≈ 60 × 1.5 = 90, then 90 + 9 = 99 km/h (actual: 96.56 km/h)
- For km/h to mph: divide by 1.5, then subtract about 10%