To change miles to km on iPhone Maps, you need to adjust your iPhone's system-wide measurement setting rather than a setting inside the Maps app itself. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Language & Region, and select Metric under Measurement System to display distances in kilometers.
How to change miles to km on iPhone maps
Changing the distance unit in Apple Maps requires modifying the system-level measurement preference on your iPhone. Follow these steps to switch from miles to kilometers:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Tap Language & Region.
- Tap Measurement System.
- Select Metric.
Once you select Metric, Apple Maps will immediately display all distances in kilometers. This change applies to the entire operating system, so any app that uses the system's measurement preference will also show metric units.
Why the setting isn't in the Maps app
Apple Maps does not have its own distance unit toggle because it relies entirely on your iPhone's region and measurement settings. Some older articles reference a "Distances" option within the Maps settings, but current versions of iOS no longer include that option. The Language & Region method is the standard way to control whether distances appear in miles or kilometers across all system-integrated apps, including Apple Maps. This design means you cannot set miles in one app and kilometers in another; the measurement system is a device-wide preference.
How to switch back to miles
To return to displaying distances in miles, revisit the same setting path. Open Settings, tap General, then Language & Region, and tap Measurement System. Select US or UK to display distances in miles again. The US option uses imperial units, while the UK option uses a mix that includes miles for road distances. Your Maps app will update immediately after you make this selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the measurement system affect other apps?
Yes. Because this is a system-wide setting, any app that respects the device's measurement preference, including Maps and Navigation App Settings in third-party apps, will switch to kilometers. Apps like Weather, Health, and Workout may also display metric units after the change.
Why is the Measurement System option missing on my iPhone?
If you do not see the Measurement System option under Language & Region, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS. This setting was introduced in a later iOS update. Updating your device to the latest supported version should make the option available.
Can I use kilometers in Apple Maps but keep miles in other apps?
No. Apple Maps does not have an independent distance unit setting. The measurement system you choose applies to all apps on the device that use the system preference. To use different units in different apps, you would need to use third-party navigation apps that offer their own internal unit settings.
Does changing the region to a metric country automatically switch Maps to kilometers?
Yes. If you change your iPhone's region under Language & Region to a country that uses the metric system, the Measurement System will automatically set itself to Metric. You can then manually change it back to US or UK if you prefer miles while keeping the other region settings.
Will this change affect how directions are spoken during navigation?
Yes. Spoken turn-by-turn directions will reflect the unit you have selected. If you choose Metric, Siri will announce distances in meters and kilometers. If you choose US or UK, directions will use feet and miles.
What are other ways to get kilometers in Maps?
Option 2: Using a Third-Party Navigation App (e.g., Google Maps, Waze, MapQuest) that lets you set distance units independently in its own settings. Option 3: Manually Converting Miles to Kilometers by multiplying the distance shown by 1.60934. Method 2: Using the Siri Shortcut to create a quick toggle that changes the Measurement System setting. Method 3: Switching Between Miles and Kilometers During Navigation by tapping the arrow icon to open the route details, then tapping the distance to toggle the unit.
