A statute mile is exactly 1,609.344 meters.
Miles to Links Converter — mi to li
Convert Mile (mi) to Link (li) using the exact conversion factor (1 mile = 8,000 link). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Miles 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 1609.344 / 0.201168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Miles to Links
Mile and Link both measure length. Mile is most often used for road signage, speed limits, and odometers in the us and uk.
Formula
links = miles × 8000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 mile equals 1609.344 base units, and 1 link equals 0.201168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct mile-to-link factor of 8000.
Simple example
1 mi × 8000 = 8,000 li
1 mile = 8,000 links.
Real-world example
10 mi × 8000 = 80,000 li
10 miles = 80,000 links.
Conversion table
| Mile (mi) | Link (li) |
|---|---|
| 1 mi | 8,000 li |
| 5 mi | 40,000 li |
| 10 mi | 80,000 li |
| 21.0975 mi | 168,780 li |
| 42.195 mi | 337,560 li |
| 100 mi | 800,000 li |
Reverse conversion: Link to Mile
1 li × 0.000125 = 0.000125 mi
1 link = 0.000125 miles.
miles = links × 0.000125
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Link to Mile.
Understanding the Mile
Mile (mi) measures distance. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States United Kingdom (road distances and speed limits)
Uses of the Mile today
- Road signage, speed limits, and odometers in the US and UK
- Everyday distance estimates in US/UK contexts
- Aviation and marine contexts use the related but distinct nautical mile instead
History of the Mile
The mile traces back to the Roman 'mille passus' ('a thousand paces'), about 1,000 double-steps of a marching legion, roughly 1,480 meters. The English statute mile diverged from this over the medieval period.
Elizabeth I's government fixed the English statute mile at 5,280 feet in 1593, replacing the old Roman-derived value so it would align evenly with the furlong (660 ft), a unit already standard in English land measurement.
The modern international mile (1,609.344 m exactly) was fixed by the same 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement that standardized the pound, tying it to the internationally agreed yard of exactly 0.9144 meters.
Historical origin. Mile 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.
Mile — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern mile via the international yard.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many links are in 1 mile?
1 mile equals 8,000 links, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert mile to link?
Multiply the mile value by 8000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert link back to mile?
Use the reverse factor: 1 link equals 0.000125 miles. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a mile?
Mile (mi) measures distance. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a link?
Link (li) is a unit of length.
Is the mile to link conversion exact?
Yes. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the mile still used today?
United States United Kingdom (road distances and speed limits)