Kilometer to Centimeter Converter
Convert kilometers to centimeters with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Kilometer = 100000 centimeters
Formula: Kilometer × conversion factor = Centimeter
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Kilometer to Centimeter Calculator
How to Use the Kilometer to Centimeter Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilometer).
- The converted value in Centimeter will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Kilometer to Centimeter: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Kilometer to Centimeter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Kilometer = 1.0000e+5 centimetersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 kilometers: 10 × 1.0000e+5 = 1.0000e+6 centimeters
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other length units?
View all Length conversions →What is a Kilometer and a Centimeter?
The kilometer is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousand meters (1,000 m). It is commonly used to measure geographic distances.
The centimeter is a unit of length in the metric system equal to one-hundredth of a meter (1/100 m). It is commonly used for smaller everyday measurements.
Note: The Kilometer is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Centimeter belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Kilometer and Centimeter
Derived directly from the meter, the kilometer was established as part of the metric system in the late 18th century to provide a larger, convenient unit for measuring longer distances, such as those between cities or the lengths of roads.
As part of the original French metric system, the centimeter was defined based on the meter. Its convenience for measuring smaller objects made it a widely adopted subunit.
Common Uses and Applications: kilometers vs centimeters
Explore the typical applications for both Kilometer (metric) and Centimeter (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for kilometers
- Geography & Travel: Measuring distances between geographical locations (cities, countries).
- Transportation: Road signs indicating distances and speed limits (km/h) in metric countries.
- Mapping: Measuring the length of roads, rivers, or coastlines.
- Athletics: Athletic events like long-distance running (e.g., 5k, 10k, marathon).
- Logistics: Calculating travel times and fuel efficiency.
When to Use centimeters
- Anthropometry: Measuring human height in many metric countries.
- Everyday Objects: Everyday measurements of small objects (e.g., length of a pencil, width of a book).
- Tools: Rulers and measuring tapes often show centimeters.
- Apparel: Clothing sizes and tailoring measurements.
- Design & Crafts: Technical drawings and crafts.
Additional Unit Information
About Kilometer (km)
How many meters are in a kilometer?
There are exactly 1,000 meters (m) in 1 kilometer (km).
What does 'kilo' mean in kilometer?
The prefix 'kilo' denotes one thousand (1,000).
Is a kilometer longer or shorter than a mile?
A kilometer is shorter than a mile. One mile is approximately 1.609 kilometers.
About Centimeter (cm)
How many centimeters are in a meter?
There are 100 centimeters (cm) in 1 meter (m).
What does 'centi' mean in centimeter?
The prefix 'centi' denotes one-hundredth (1/100).
How many centimeters are in an inch?
There are exactly 2.54 centimeters in 1 inch.
Conversion Table: Kilometer to Centimeter
| Kilometer (km) | Centimeter (cm) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 50,000 |
| 1 | 100,000 |
| 1.5 | 150,000 |
| 2 | 200,000 |
| 5 | 500,000 |
| 10 | 1,000,000 |
| 25 | 2,500,000 |
| 50 | 5,000,000 |
| 100 | 10,000,000 |
| 250 | 25,000,000 |
| 500 | 50,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 100,000,000 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Kilometer to Centimeter?
To convert Kilometer to Centimeter, enter the value in Kilometer in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our length converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Kilometer to Centimeter?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Kilometer and Centimeter. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Centimeter back to Kilometer?
Yes! You can easily convert Centimeter back to Kilometer by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Centimeter to Kilometer converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Kilometer and Centimeter?
Kilometer and Centimeter are both standard units used in length measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our length converter for more conversion options.
For more length conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for length and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Length Conversions
Metric Prefix Guide
Understanding Metric Prefixes
The metric system uses standard prefixes to indicate multiples or fractions of base units. For example, converting from kilometer to centimeter involves a multiplication factor of 0.000000000000001.
| Prefix | Symbol | Power | Multiplier | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tera | T | 10¹² | 1,000,000,000,000 | teragram (Tg) |
| giga | G | 10⁹ | 1,000,000,000 | gigagram (Gg) |
| mega | M | 10⁶ | 1,000,000 | megagram (Mg) |
| kilo | k | 10³ | 1,000 | kilogram (kg) |
| hecto | h | 10² | 100 | hectogram (hg) |
| deca | da | 10¹ | 10 | decagram (dag) |
| (base) | 10⁰ | 1 | meter (m) | |
| deci | d | 10⁻¹ | 0.1 | decigram (dg) |
| centi | c | 10⁻² | 0.01 | centigram (cg) |
| milli | m | 10⁻³ | 0.001 | milligram (mg) |
| micro | μ | 10⁻⁶ | 0.000001 | microgram (μg) |
| nano | n | 10⁻⁹ | 0.000000001 | nanogram (ng) |
Note: To convert between prefixed units, multiply or divide by powers of 10. For conversions betweenkilometer and centimeter, multiply by 0.000000000000001.
Other Length Units and Conversions
Explore other length units and their conversion options:
- Meter (m) • Kilometer to Meter
- Hectometer (hm) • Kilometer to Hectometer
- Decimeter (dm) • Kilometer to Decimeter
- Millimeter (mm) • Kilometer to Millimeter
- Inch (in) • Kilometer to Inch
- Foot (ft) • Kilometer to Foot
- Yard (yd) • Kilometer to Yard
- Mile (mi) • Kilometer to Mile
- Nautical Mile (NM) • Kilometer to Nautical Mile
- Micrometer (μm) • Kilometer to Micrometer
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Official US standards for length measurements
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units official documentation
Last verified: November 14, 2025