Kilometer is 1000 meter units.
Kilometers to Links Converter — km to li
Convert Kilometer (km) to Link (li) using the exact conversion factor (1 kilometer = 4,970.969538 link). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Kilometers to Links converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Result = input x 1000 / 0.201168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Kilometers to Links
Kilometer and Link both measure length. Kilometer is most often used for road signage, speed limits, and vehicle odometers outside the us.
Formula
links = kilometers × 4970.9695379
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 kilometer equals 1000 base units, and 1 link equals 0.201168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct kilometer-to-link factor of 4970.9695379.
Simple example
1 km × 4970.969538 = 4,970.969538 li
1 kilometer = 4,970.969538 links.
Real-world example
10 km × 4970.969538 = 49,709.69538 li
10 kilometers = 49,709.69538 links.
Conversion table
| Kilometer (km) | Link (li) |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 4,970.969538 li |
| 5 km | 24,854.84769 li |
| 10 km | 49,709.69538 li |
| 21.0975 km | 104,875.0298 li |
| 42.195 km | 209,750.0597 li |
| 100 km | 497,096.9538 li |
Reverse conversion: Link to Kilometer
1 li × 0.000201168 = 0.000201168 km
1 link = 0.000201168 kilometers.
kilometers = links × 0.000201168
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Link to Kilometer.
Understanding the Kilometer
Kilometer (km) measures distance. A kilometer is 1,000 meters — the meter is the SI base unit of length. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard road, distance, and mapping unit in nearly every country except the United States
Uses of the Kilometer today
- Road signage, speed limits, and vehicle odometers outside the US
- Geographic and mapping distances
- Endurance sports (marathons are measured in kilometers internationally, though the marathon distance itself is a fixed value in both systems)
History of the Kilometer
The meter was defined during the French Revolutionary metric reforms as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator along a meridian through Paris. 'Kilo-' is simply the SI prefix for 1,000, making the kilometer a direct decimal multiple.
The meter itself has been redefined several times as measurement precision improved — from a physical platinum-iridium bar (1889) to a krypton-86 wavelength (1960) to its current definition (1983) as the distance light travels in a fixed fraction of a second.
Historical origin. Kilometer was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Link (li)
A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Kilometer — sources
- BIPM — The metre (SI base unit) — Current definition and history of the meter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many links are in 1 kilometer?
1 kilometer equals 4,970.969538 links, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert kilometer to link?
Multiply the kilometer value by 4970.969538. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert link back to kilometer?
Use the reverse factor: 1 link equals 0.000201168 kilometers. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a kilometer?
Kilometer (km) measures distance. A kilometer is 1,000 meters — the meter is the SI base unit of length. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
What is a link?
Link (li) is a unit of length.
Is the kilometer to link conversion exact?
Yes. Both kilometer and link are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 4970.969538 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the kilometer still used today?
Standard road, distance, and mapping unit in nearly every country except the United States