Apple Maps on iPhone doesn’t have its own miles-or-kilometers switch anymore. It uses whatever measurement system your iPhone is set to. To change it, open Settings > General > Language & Region > Measurement System and pick Metric for kilometers or US for miles. Google Maps is different: it has its own Distance units setting inside the app. Both methods are below, along with what to do if Maps doesn’t switch.
Change miles and kilometers in Apple Maps
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General, then Language & Region.
- Tap Measurement System.
- Choose one:
- Metric for kilometers and meters
- US for miles and feet
- UK for miles on the road, which matches British road signs
- Close Settings and open Maps. New directions and distances will use the units you chose.
This setting applies to the whole iPhone, so other Apple apps such as Weather, Health, and Fitness may also switch their distance and measurement units. Temperature has its own setting on the same Language & Region screen, so changing to Metric won’t change Fahrenheit to Celsius on its own.
On older iPhones
Older versions of iOS had a Distances option in the Maps section of the Settings app, with In Miles and In Kilometers. If your iPhone runs an older version of iOS and you still see that option under Settings > Maps, you can use it to change Maps only without touching the rest of the phone.
Change miles and kilometers in Google Maps on iPhone
Google Maps ignores the iPhone setting and has its own.
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Distance units.
- Choose Kilometers or Miles. Automatic uses whatever is normal in the country you’re in.
Why switch units?
- Traveling. Road signs in most countries use kilometers, while the US and UK use miles. Matching Maps to the signs makes “exit in 2 km” easier to follow.
- Running and cycling. If you train in kilometers, it helps to see route distances in the same units.
- A phone bought abroad. An iPhone set up in another country starts with that country’s units.
Using CarPlay
CarPlay shows Apple Maps with the same units as your iPhone, so change the Measurement System on the phone. Your car’s own dashboard may use a separate setting in the car’s menus.
Troubleshooting
Maps still shows the old units
Force-close Maps and reopen it: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause, then swipe the Maps card up and away. Directions that were already in progress keep their units until you start a new route. If that doesn’t work, restart the iPhone.
I can’t find Measurement System
Make sure you’re in Settings > General > Language & Region, not the Maps settings. It’s listed under the Region, Calendar, and Temperature options.
I changed my Region and the units changed too
Picking a new Region can reset Measurement System to that country’s default. Set Measurement System again afterward if you want something different.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use kilometers in Maps but keep miles everywhere else?
Not on current versions of iOS, because Apple Maps follows the system setting. If you need different units in different apps, Google Maps has its own separate setting.
Does this change the speed in Maps?
Yes. Where Apple Maps shows speed limits and your current speed, it uses the same units, so Metric shows km/h and US or UK shows mph.
Does the Apple Watch follow the same setting?
Maps on Apple Watch takes its directions from your iPhone, so it should use the same units. Workout distances on the watch have their own unit settings in the Workout app.
Related iPhone Maps tips
To mark a spot on the map and save or share it, see how to drop a pin on an iPhone.
Summary
For Apple Maps, go to Settings > General > Language & Region > Measurement System and choose Metric for kilometers or US for miles. For Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Settings > Distance units.
Related: iPhone automatically change time zones.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.