Kilometer to Inch Converter

A kilometer (km) is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 1,000 meters. It is one of the most commonly used units for measuring medium to long distances on Earth.

The kilometer was first introduced in 1795 during the French Revolution as part of the original metric system. The term comes from the Greek word 'khilioi' meaning 'thousand' and the French word 'mètre'. It became widely adopted throughout Europe in the 19th century and is now the standard unit for road distances in most countries worldwide.

Kilometers are extensively used for measuring road distances, city planning, geographical surveys, and athletic events like marathons. Most countries use kilometers for speed limits (km/h) and fuel efficiency measurements. It's the standard unit for mapping and GPS navigation systems globally.

An inch is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems equal to 1/12 of a foot or approximately 2.54 centimeters. It is used for precise measurements of smaller objects.

The inch has ancient origins, possibly derived from the width of a man's thumb. The word comes from the Latin 'uncia' meaning 'twelfth part'. It was standardized in England and later defined internationally as exactly 25.4 millimeters in 1959.

Inches are widely used in the United States for measuring screen sizes, pipe diameters, lumber dimensions, and precision measurements in manufacturing. They're standard for tools, fasteners, and many consumer products in countries using imperial measurements.