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Convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour instantly with our free online calculator. Essential for international travel, automotive specifications, speed limit comparisons, and driving abroad.
0.621371
MPH per KPH
1.60934
KPH per MPH
100 kph = 62.1 mph
Common Highway Speed
Formula: MPH = KPH × 0.621371
| KPH | MPH | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kph | 3.11 mph | Average walking speed |
| 10 kph | 6.21 mph | Jogging speed |
| 20 kph | 12.43 mph | Bicycle cruising speed |
| 30 kph | 18.64 mph | Residential speed limit |
| 40 kph | 24.85 mph | Urban speed limit |
| 50 kph | 31.07 mph | Typical city limit |
| 60 kph | 37.28 mph | Rural road limit |
| 80 kph | 49.71 mph | Highway speed (EU) |
| 100 kph | 62.14 mph | Motorway speed (Canada) |
| 110 kph | 68.35 mph | UK motorway limit (70 mph) |
| 120 kph | 74.56 mph | European motorway limit |
| 130 kph | 80.78 mph | French motorway limit |
| 150 kph | 93.21 mph | High-speed driving |
| 200 kph | 124.27 mph | Sports car territory |
| 300 kph | 186.41 mph | Supercar/racing speed |
Kilometers per hour (kph or km/h) is a unit of speed expressing the number of kilometers traveled in one hour. It is the standard unit for vehicle speeds and road speed limits in most countries worldwide as part of the metric system. The abbreviation "kph" is commonly used informally, while "km/h" is the official SI (International System of Units) notation. One kilometer equals 1,000 meters, making kph a convenient measure for distances traveled by cars, trains, and other vehicles.
Miles per hour (mph) is a unit of speed expressing the number of miles traveled in one hour. It is part of the imperial measurement system and remains the standard for road speeds in the United States, United Kingdom, and several other countries. One mile equals 5,280 feet or approximately 1.609 kilometers. Although the metric system dominates global scientific and commercial use, mph persists in countries with strong historical ties to imperial measurements, particularly in everyday driving contexts.
The relationship between these units is: 1 kph = 0.621371 mph, or conversely, 1 mph = 1.60934 kph. This conversion is crucial for international travelers, automotive engineers, logistics professionals, and anyone comparing speed limits or vehicle specifications across different countries. For example, a European car advertised with a top speed of 200 kph would be equivalent to 124 mph in American terms.
The formula to convert kph to mph is: MPH = KPH × 0.621371. Simply multiply the speed in kilometers per hour by the conversion factor 0.621371 to get the equivalent speed in miles per hour.
Question: A European city has a speed limit of 50 kph. What is this in mph?
Question: A German autobahn advisory speed is 120 kph. Convert to mph for American drivers.
Note: This is faster than most US interstate speed limits (typically 65-70 mph).
Question: A sports car can reach 250 kph. What is this in mph?
For a quick estimate, multiply kph by 0.6 or divide kph by 1.6. For example: 100 kph × 0.6 = 60 mph (exact: 62.14 mph), or 100 kph ÷ 1.6 = 62.5 mph. These shortcuts give you results within 5% accuracy, which is sufficient for quick conversions while driving or traveling. Another trick: take 60% of the kph value for a close approximation.
| Region/Country | Speed Type | KPH | MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Motorway | 130 kph | 80.78 mph |
| Germany | Urban | 50 kph | 31.07 mph |
| UK | Motorway (70 mph) | 112 kph | 70.00 mph |
| Canada | Highway | 100 kph | 62.14 mph |
| Australia | Freeway | 110 kph | 68.35 mph |
| Japan | Expressway | 100 kph | 62.14 mph |
| Italy | Motorway | 130 kph | 80.78 mph |
| Vehicle Type | Typical Top Speed (KPH) | MPH |
|---|---|---|
| Electric bicycle | 25 kph | 15.53 mph |
| City car (compact) | 150 kph | 93.21 mph |
| Family sedan | 190 kph | 118.06 mph |
| Sports sedan | 250 kph | 155.34 mph |
| Supercar | 350 kph | 217.48 mph |
| Formula 1 car | 370 kph | 229.91 mph |
| Bugatti Chiron | 420 kph | 260.98 mph |
| Benchmark | KPH | MPH |
|---|---|---|
| Walking speed | 5 kph | 3.11 mph |
| Running speed (sprint) | 37 kph | 23.00 mph |
| Cheetah (fastest land animal) | 120 kph | 74.56 mph |
| High-speed train (avg) | 300 kph | 186.41 mph |
| Commercial jet cruising | 900 kph | 559.23 mph |
| Speed of sound (sea level) | 1,235 kph | 767.27 mph |
| Space Shuttle reentry | 28,000 kph | 17,398.39 mph |
When driving abroad, understanding local speed limits is crucial for safety and avoiding traffic violations. Americans traveling to Europe, Canada, or Asia need to convert kph speed limits to familiar mph values. Conversely, international visitors to the US need to understand mph limits.
Car manufacturers publish vehicle specifications in both kph and mph depending on the market. Comparing performance specs — top speed, acceleration, fuel economy — across international models requires accurate conversion between these units.
Shipping companies, freight logistics, and transportation planners need to convert speeds for route planning, delivery schedules, and compliance with international regulations. Transit times and average speeds are often reported in different units across borders.
Wind speeds, storm tracking, and aviation weather reports may use either kph or mph depending on the country. Pilots, meteorologists, and emergency services need to convert speeds for accurate communication and safety coordination across international airspace.
For driving and legal purposes, use the full conversion factor. For quick mental estimates, 0.6 works well enough.
The mph number will always be smaller than the kph number for the same speed. If you get a larger number after conversion, you did it backwards.
Most modern cars display both kph and mph on the speedometer. Use this as a reference when driving in unfamiliar countries.
KPH to MPH requires multiplication by 0.621371. Dividing would give you the wrong direction (mph to kph).
These are different units. To convert kph to m/s, divide by 3.6. Don't accidentally use m/s conversion formulas for mph calculations.
Even after converting units, speed limits vary widely by country. Research local traffic laws before driving abroad.
One kilometer per hour equals exactly 0.621371 miles per hour. This means that kph is roughly 62% of mph. To convert any speed in kph to mph, multiply by 0.621371. For example, 100 kph equals 62.1371 mph.
Miles per hour (mph) is faster than kilometers per hour (kph). One mph equals approximately 1.60934 kph. So mph is about 1.6 times faster than kph. For instance, 60 mph is equivalent to about 96.6 kph.
Multiply the speed in kph by 0.621371. For example: 80 kph × 0.621371 = 49.71 mph. For a quick mental estimate, multiply kph by 0.6 or divide by 1.6 (slightly less accurate but easy to calculate in your head).
Kilometers per hour comes from the metric system adopted by most countries worldwide. Miles per hour is part of the imperial measurement system still used in the United States, United Kingdom, and a few other countries. The metric system is international standard for science, but mph persists in countries with historical ties to imperial measurements.
100 kph equals exactly 62.1371 mph. This is a common highway speed in many countries. It is roughly equivalent to the speed limit on many US interstate highways (65 mph) and slightly faster than the UK motorway limit (70 mph).
Yes, 200 kph (124 mph) is extremely fast for road vehicles. This speed is typically only achieved by high-performance sports cars and supercars. It exceeds legal speed limits on virtually all public roads worldwide, except certain sections of German autobahns with no speed limit. At this speed, vehicle safety systems, tire ratings, and driver skill are critical.
Countries using kph include most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), Canada, Australia, Japan, China, India, and most of Latin America and Africa. Countries using mph include the United States, United Kingdom, and several Caribbean nations. Even in mph countries, many vehicles display both units on speedometers.
The speed of sound at sea level is approximately 1,235 kph or 767 mph. This is known as Mach 1. Aircraft that exceed this speed are supersonic. The exact speed of sound varies with temperature and altitude — it is slower at higher altitudes where the air is colder and less dense.
This calculator uses the internationally recognized conversion factor of 1 kph = 0.621371 mph. Always obey local speed limits and traffic laws. When driving abroad, familiarize yourself with local regulations, road signs, and speed limit conventions before operating a vehicle.