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kilometer

A kilometer (abbreviated: km) is a metric unit of length equal to one thousand meters. A kilometer is equivalent to 0.621 mile, or 3280.8 feet. To convert a distance from miles to kilometers, multiply the number by 1.609. For quick, rough conversions from kilometers to miles, a distance stated in kilometers is approximately 2/3 of the number in miles (example: 100 km is roughly 66 mi and exactly 62.1 mi).

James M. Thomas, last updated October 11, 1999.

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