Convert the units that actually come up outdoors. Switch between kilometers and miles, meters and feet of elevation, °C and °F, pack weight in kg and lb, water and fuel volumes, speed, and running pace (min/km ↔ min/mile) — all in one place, instantly and offline in your browser.
Convert the units that come up outdoors — distance, elevation, temperature, pack weight, volume, speed, and running pace.
Quick outdoor conversions in your head
- Distance: kilometers ≈ miles × 1.6 · miles ≈ km × 0.6
- Elevation: meters ≈ feet ÷ 3.3 · feet ≈ meters × 3.3
- Temperature: °F ≈ (°C × 2) + 30 · °C ≈ (°F − 30) ÷ 2
- Weight: pounds ≈ kilograms × 2.2 · kilograms ≈ pounds ÷ 2.2
- Pace: min/mile ≈ min/km × 1.6
These shortcuts get you close enough for trail decisions; use the converter above when you need exact figures.
Distance & elevation reference
Common trail distances and elevation gains in both systems:
| Miles | Kilometers | Feet | Meters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mi | 1.61 km | 1,000 ft | 305 m | |
| 3 mi | 4.83 km | 2,000 ft | 610 m | |
| 5 mi | 8.05 km | 3,000 ft | 914 m | |
| 10 mi | 16.09 km | 5,000 ft | 1,524 m | |
| 26.2 mi | 42.2 km | 14,000 ft | 4,267 m |
Temperature reference
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 104°F | 40°C | Dangerous heat |
| 86°F | 30°C | Hot summer day |
| 68°F | 20°C | Mild |
| 50°F | 10°C | Cool |
| 32°F | 0°C | Freezing |
| 14°F | -10°C | Hard freeze |
| -4°F | -20°C | Deep cold |
Pack weight reference
Backpacking base weights in kilograms and pounds:
| Kilograms | Pounds | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 kg | 10 lb | Ultralight base weight |
| 6.8 kg | 15 lb | Lightweight base weight |
| 9.1 kg | 20 lb | Traditional base weight |
| 13.6 kg | 30 lb | Heavy / winter load |
Running pace reference
Equivalent paces in min/km and min/mile:
| min/km | min/mile | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 6:26 | Fast |
| 5:00 | 8:03 | Steady |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | Easy |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | Relaxed / hilly trail |
Why outdoor measurements use mixed units
The outdoors is stubbornly bilingual about units. Trail distances, elevation, and temperatures appear in feet, miles, and Fahrenheit on US maps and guidebooks, and in meters, kilometers, and Celsius almost everywhere else — and gear is often labelled differently again. Knowing how to convert lets you read any guidebook, compare your pack weight against others’ setups, gauge elevation gain (or vert) on an unfamiliar map, and translate a running training pace between systems. Pair this with the hiking time calculator for trip planning and the base weight calculator for your gear list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert miles to kilometers and back?
Multiply miles by 1.609 to get kilometers, or multiply kilometers by 0.621 to get miles. For a quick mental estimate, kilometers ≈ miles × 1.6, and miles ≈ km × 0.6 — so a 10‑mile hike is about 16 km. Use the converter above for exact figures.
How do I convert feet to meters for elevation gain?
Multiply feet by 0.3048 to get meters, or multiply meters by 3.281 to get feet. A handy shortcut is meters ≈ feet ÷ 3.3 — so 3,000 ft of climbing is roughly 914 m. Elevation on maps and guidebooks is given in feet in the US and meters almost everywhere else, which is why converting matters.
What's the fastest way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in your head?
For everyday temperatures a close estimate is °F ≈ (°C × 2) + 30 — so 20°C ≈ 70°F (actual 68°F). The exact formula is °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32, and to go the other way, °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. The converter above does the exact maths for you.
How do I convert my pack weight between kilograms and pounds?
Multiply kilograms by 2.205 to get pounds, or divide pounds by 2.205 to get kilograms. The quick estimate is pounds ≈ kg × 2.2 — so a 9 kg base weight is about 20 lb. Backpackers often track base weight in whichever unit their gear is labelled in, so converting helps compare setups.
How do I convert running pace between min/km and min/mile?
Multiply your min/km pace by 1.609 to get min/mile, or divide min/mile by 1.609 to get min/km. So a 5:00 min/km pace is about 8:03 min/mile. Enter your pace as mm:ss in the converter above (set the category to Pace) and it will translate it for you.