KM to M Converter

How to convert kilometers to meters

1 kilometer = 1,000 meters. To convert kilometers to meters, multiply by 1,000. A kilometer is 1,000 meters. The meter is the SI base unit of length, defined by the speed of light.

Worked examples

• 1.5 kilometers = 1,500 m (1.5 × 1,000)
• 5 kilometers = 5,000 m (5 × 1,000)
• 42.2 kilometers = 42,200 m (42.2 × 1,000)

Where this conversion comes up

Kilometers are used for road distances and altitude outside the US; meters for room sizes, building heights and running distances. One kilometer is exactly 1,000 m: a 5 km run is 5,000 m, a half marathon (21.1 km) is 21,097.5 m and 400 m, one lap of a track, is 0.4 km.

Quick estimate

Multiply by 1,000.

Common mistakes

• Dividing instead of multiplying. A meter is smaller than a kilometer, so the number of meters must come out larger: 1.5 kilometers = 1,500 m.

Going the other way? Use the m to km converter. Related length converters: mm to inches, inches to mm, inches to feet, feet to inches, meters to feet, feet to meters.