Centimeters to Kilometers Converter

Enter the length in centimeters below to get the value converted to kilometers.

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1 cm = 1.0E-5 km
Hint: use a scientific notation calculator to convert E notation to decimal

Do you want to convert kilometers to centimeters?

How to Convert Centimeters to Kilometers

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To convert a measurement in centimeters to a measurement in kilometers, divide the length by the following conversion ratio: 100,000 centimeters/kilometer.

Since one kilometer is equal to 100,000 centimeters, you can use this simple formula to convert:

kilometers = centimeters ÷ 100,000

The length in kilometers is equal to the length in centimeters divided by 100,000.

For example, here's how to convert 500,000 centimeters to kilometers using the formula above.
kilometers = (500,000 cm ÷ 100,000) = 5 km

Our inch fraction calculator can add centimeters and kilometers together, and it also automatically converts the results to US customary, imperial, and SI metric values.

Centimeters and kilometers are both units used to measure length. Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure.

What is a Centimeter?

One centimeter is equal to one-hundredth (1/100) of a meter, which is defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. One centimeter is equal to 0.393701 inches.

The centimeter, or centimetre, is a multiple of the meter, which is the SI base unit for length. In the metric system, "centi" is the prefix for hundredths, or 10-2. Centimeters can be abbreviated as cm; for example, 1 centimeter can be written as 1 cm.

Metric rulers typically have 30 cm, which are represented by 30 large tick marks. To get a rough idea of the actual length of a centimeter, a standard number 2 pencil is just about 1 cm thick.

Learn more about centimeters.

What is a Kilometer?

One kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters, which are defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in a 1/299,792,458 second time interval.[1] One kilometer is equal to 0.621371 miles.

The kilometer, or kilometre, is a multiple of the meter, which is the SI base unit for length. In the metric system, "kilo" is the prefix for thousands, or 103. Kilometers can be abbreviated as km; for example, 1 kilometer can be written as 1 km.

Learn more about kilometers.

We recommend using a ruler or tape measure for measuring length, which can be found at a local retailer or home center. Rulers are available in imperial, metric, or a combination of both values, so make sure you get the correct type for your needs.

Need a ruler? Try our free downloadable and printable rulers, which include both imperial and metric measurements.

Centimeter to Kilometer Conversion Table

Table showing various centimeter measurements converted to kilometers.
Centimeters Kilometers
1 cm 0.00001 km
2 cm 0.00002 km
3 cm 0.00003 km
4 cm 0.00004 km
5 cm 0.00005 km
6 cm 0.00006 km
7 cm 0.00007 km
8 cm 0.00008 km
9 cm 0.00009 km
10 cm 0.0001 km
100 cm 0.001 km
1,000 cm 0.01 km
10,000 cm 0.1 km
100,000 cm 1 km

References

  1. Ambler Thompson and Barry N. Taylor, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI), National Institute of Standards and Technology, https://physics.nist.gov/cuu/pdf/sp811.pdf

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