How this calculator works
A mile is exactly 1,609.344 m, so converting metres to miles divides by that factor. Track races are measured in metres, while road races and road distances in the United States and the United Kingdom use miles. That makes a 400 m lap about a quarter of a mile and a 1,500 m race just under a mile. The kilometre and yard rows give intermediate checks.
Formula
mi = m / 1609.344. m = mi x 1609.344. One mile is 1.609344 km, 5,280 ft or 1,760 yd.
Worked example
400 m = 0.248548 mi, about a quarter mile. 1,500 m = 0.932057 mi. 5,000 m = 3.10686 mi. 42,195 m = 26.2188 mi, the marathon. 1 mi = 1,609.34 m.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a 400 m lap exactly a quarter mile?
Not quite. A quarter mile is 402.336 m, so a 400 m lap is 2.336 m short. The difference is small but matters in track records.
How long is a mile in metres?
Exactly 1,609.344 m. The mile is defined through the international foot of 0.3048 m, with 5,280 feet in a mile.
How do I convert metres to miles quickly?
Divide by 1,600 for a rough estimate, which is within about 0.6 percent. For exact work divide by 1,609.344.
Which is used for running races?
Track races use metres, from 100 m to 10,000 m. Road races are often named in kilometres, while US road races are frequently described in miles, so a 5 km race is about 3.1 mi.