Kilometer to Furlong Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert kilometers to furlongs with our free online length converter.
Kilometer to Furlong Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Kilometer).
- The converted value in Furlong 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 Furlong
Converting Kilometer to Furlong involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Kilometer = 4.97097 furlongs
Example Calculation:
Convert 10 kilometers: 10 × 4.97097 = 49.7097 furlongs
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.
What is a Kilometer and a Furlong?
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 Furlong (symbol fur) is a unit of length in the imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement. It is defined as exactly one-eighth of a mile (1/8 mi). This is equivalent to 220 yards (yd), 660 feet (ft), or precisely 201.168 meters (m).
Note: The Kilometer is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Furlong belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Kilometer and Furlong
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.
The name "furlong" derives from the Old English words furh (furrow) and lang (long). It originally represented the approximate distance a team of oxen could plow without rest within a typical English open field system. It also related to the traditional size of an acre, which was conceived as an area of land one furlong long and one chain (66 feet) wide. The furlong was standardized as 40 rods (a rod being 5.5 yards) or 10 chains. While historically significant in agriculture and land surveying, its use has greatly diminished with the adoption of metric units and the decline of the imperial system for general measurements.
Common Uses for kilometers and furlongs
Explore the typical applications for both Kilometer (metric) and Furlong (imperial/US) 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.
Common Uses for furlongs
Although largely obsolete for general use, the furlong persists in specific contexts:
- Horse Racing: Its most prominent modern use is in measuring race distances in countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Canada. Race lengths are frequently given in furlongs (e.g., a 6-furlong sprint).
- Historical Context: Encountered in historical documents, land deeds, and literature referring to land measurement or travel distances in imperial units.
- Figurative Language: Occasionally used informally or figuratively to denote a distance, though this is rare.
- Myanmar (Burma): The furlong remains in common use in Myanmar as a customary unit alongside the mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions 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 Furlong (fur)
How many furlongs are in a mile?
There are exactly 8 furlongs in 1 mile.
How many yards/feet/meters are in a furlong?
One furlong is equal to:
- 220 yards (yd)
- 660 feet (ft)
- 201.168 meters (m) (exactly)
Where is the furlong used most often today?
Its primary modern application is in horse racing in several English-speaking countries (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada), where it is the standard unit for race distances. It also sees some continued customary use in Myanmar.
Is the furlong an SI unit?
No, the furlong is not part of the International System of Units (SI). It belongs to the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Why is it called a furlong?
The name comes from Old English furlang, meaning "furrow long," reflecting its origin as the length of a furrow a team of oxen could plow in an acre strip before needing rest.
Conversion Table: Kilometer to Furlong
Kilometer (km) | Furlong (fur) |
---|---|
1 | 4.971 |
5 | 24.855 |
10 | 49.71 |
25 | 124.274 |
50 | 248.549 |
100 | 497.097 |
500 | 2,485.485 |
1,000 | 4,970.97 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)