Convert Feet to Miles

ft
⇄
mi

Convert feet to miles instantly. Accurate calculator for aviation, elevation, and large-scale path measurements.

How to convert Feet to Miles

The conversion factor from Feet to Miles is 0.000189394. To convert a value from Feet to Miles, multiply the Foot value by 0.000189394.

Formula

mi = ft × 0.000189394

Foot to Mile Conversion Table

Feet (ft)Miles (mi)
5280.1
10000.189394
26400.5
52801
100001.893939
300005.681818
500009.469697

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles are in 1 foot?

There are approximately 0.000189394 miles in 1 foot. Put simply, 1 mile is 5,280 times longer than 1 foot.

How do I convert feet to miles?

To convert feet to miles, divide the number of feet by 5,280. For example, 10,560 feet ÷ 5,280 = 2 miles.

What is 10,000 feet in miles?

10,000 feet is approximately 1.89 miles. This is a common altitude reference in aviation.

Why is the conversion factor 5280?

The mile was standardized to 5,280 feet in 1593 to align the Roman mile (5,000 feet) with the furlong system (660 feet). 8 furlongs × 660 feet = 5,280 feet.

What is the formula for feet to miles?

The formula is: Miles = Feet ÷ 5,280. This gives the exact statute mile value.

Understanding Feet and Miles

The foot (ft) and the mile (mi) are the backbone of distance measurement in the United States. While feet are used for human-scale dimensions (height, room size) and construction, miles are used for geographic distances. Converting from the smaller unit to the larger one is frequently required in specific industries.

Aviation and Altitude

The most common real-world application of "feet to miles" conversion is in aviation:

  • 10,000 feet: The standard altitude below which speed is restricted (approx. 1.9 miles).
  • 35,000 feet: Typical cruising altitude for commercial jets (approx. 6.6 miles).
  • 5,280 feet: Exactly one mile "high" (the "Mile High City" of Denver).

Pilots read altimeters in feet, but understanding the vertical distance in miles helps visualization and communication with non-aviation personnel.

Elevation and Geography

Mountain heights and geographic elevations are measured in feet in the US:

  • Mount Everest: 29,032 feet ≈ 5.5 miles high.
  • Denali: 20,310 feet ≈ 3.8 miles high.
  • Grand Canyon: Over 5,000 feet deep in places (approx. 1 mile).

Hiking and Climbing

hikers track elevation gain in feet but distance in miles. Understanding the ratio helps gauge steepness:

  • Gaining 1,000 feet over 1 mile is a steep grade (approx. 19%).
  • Gaining 5,280 feet over 1 mile would be a 45-degree angle (100% grade), theoretically impossible for normal hiking.

Construction and Surveying

Large-scale engineering projects often mix units:

  • Pipelines: Length in miles, but section lengths or depths in feet.
  • Bridges: Span length in feet, but connected infrastructure in miles.
  • Cables: Undersea cables span thousands of miles, but depth is often cited in feet or fathoms.

Visualizing the Scale

  • 1 Mile = 5,280 Feet.
  • 1/2 Mile = 2,640 Feet.
  • 1/4 Mile = 1,320 Feet (Standard drag strip, city block length in some cities).

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