How-To

How to Switch Labels From Miles to Kilometers in Google Maps

By Adam Davidson

Published April 7, 2023

Is Google Maps showing you the wrong units of distance? Learn how to switch from miles to kilometers in Google Maps (and back again) in this guide.

By default, Google Maps supposedly uses your current location to choose which units to show you. If you’re in the US, it should show you miles. If you’re in mainland Europe, it should show you kilometers. Some users have reported that this isn’t always the case, however.

Thankfully, it’s possible to decide for yourself whether Google Maps uses imperial units (miles and feet) or metric (kilometers and meters) although how to do so isn’t as obvious as you might expect.

If you’re ready to go metric, then here’s how to switch labels from miles to kilometers in Google Maps.

How to Switch From Miles to Kilometers in Google Maps on Mobile

If you’re using Google Maps on a mobile device, the map scale will show the distance in both imperial and metric units. However, this scale only appears by default when you’re zooming in or out. You can make it appear permanently, however, as explained in the next section.

When creating directions, the default setting is to automatically decide which units to use based on your location. It’s fairly straightforward to choose the units that you want to use.

To switch from miles to kilometers in Google Maps on mobile:

1. Launch Google Maps.
2. Tap on your Google account icon.
   
3. You won’t see this icon if you’ve already searched for a location. Close out of that location by clicking the X at the top of the screen, and your Google account icon should appear.
   
4. Tap Settings.
   
5. Under Using Maps select Distance Units.
   
6. Tap Kilometers.
   
7. Your distances in directions will now be listed in meters and kilometers.
   

How to Keep the Scale on the Map on Mobile

Having the map scale in both imperial and metric units is helpful, but the fact that the scale only appears when you’re zooming in and out isn’t.

Thankfully, it’s possible to force the scale to remain on the map at all times.

To keep scales on the map on Google Maps mobile:

1. Open Google Maps.
2. When you zoom in or out of a map, you’ll see the scale appear, showing both miles and kilometers.
   
3. Once you stop zooming, the scale disappears.
4. To make this scale permanent, tap your Google account icon.
   
5. If you can’t see your Google account icon, close out the current map location by clicking the X at the top of the screen.
   
6. Tap Settings.
   
7. Under Using Maps select Scales.
   
8. Tap Always.
   
9. The scale will now appear on your maps even when you’re not zooming.

How to Switch Scale From Miles to Kilometers in Google Maps on Desktop

Bizarrely, despite having significantly more screen real estate to work with than the mobile version, Google Maps on desktop only shows the scale in either imperial or metric units. Although on mobile you can see both scales at once, on desktop you’re going to have to put a little bit of effort in to get the scale that you want.

Thankfully, it’s only a single click to change measurements, although it’s not at all obvious until you know how.

To switch the scale from miles to kilometers in Google Maps on a PC or Mac:

1. Open Google Maps on your PC or Mac.
2. At the very bottom of the screen, you’ll see the scale bar, which will be in miles or kilometers.
   
3. Click on the scale, and it will change from miles to kilometers or vice versa.
   
4. To change the scale back, click on it again.

How to Switch From Miles to Kilometers for Google Maps Directions on PC or Mac

Once again, Google Maps on mobile gets the win over the desktop version. That’s because when you change the default units on mobile, they’ll stay the same for any subsequent searches.

On a PC or Mac, you can only change the units for each individual journey. Once you create a new set of directions, they will return to the default units, and there’s no way to change them. In other words, if Google Maps isn’t using the units you want it to, you’re going to have to change them every time you search for directions.

To switch from miles to kilometers for directions in Google Maps on a PC or Mac:

1. Open Google Maps on your PC or Mac:
2. Enter your destination in the search field and press Enter.
   
3. Click Directions.
   
4. Enter the start location.
   
5. Press Enter and your directions will be created, with distances shown in miles.
   
6. Click Options.
   
7. Under Distance Units select km.
   
8. Your distances will now be shown in kilometers.
   
9. To revert to miles, click Options again and select miles.
10. Alternatively, create a new set of directions, and the distance units will revert to the default setting.

Using Google Maps

Knowing how to switch labels from miles to kilometers in Google Maps isn’t immediately obvious. It’s also harder than it needs to be, especially on a PC or Mac. However, once you know how, you can change between metric and imperial to your heart’s content.

There are lots of other useful tips and tricks for Google Maps. If you want a more impressive look, you can learn how to make Google Maps 3D. Worried about Google Maps storing every place you’ve searched for?  Learn how to clear Google Maps search history.

If you find that Google Maps isn’t as accurate as you’d like, you can learn how to calibrate Google Maps next.