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Ft to Mi - How to Convert Feet to Miles
The foot (ft) and the mile (mi) are both units of length in the imperial and US customary measurement systems. The foot is commonly used for shorter distances like building dimensions or ceiling heights, while the mile measures longer distances such as road lengths and cross-country travel.
For quick ft→mi conversions, try our user-friendly Length Converter and get instant results!
To convert feet to miles, use this formula:
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1 mile = 5,280 feet
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The foot is commonly used for shorter distances, such as measuring height or building dimensions.
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The mile is primarily used for longer distances, such as measuring road lengths and geographical distances.
To convert ft to mi, use this formula:
Miles = Feet ÷ 5,280
For example, to convert 10,560 ft to miles:
10,560 ÷ 5,280 = 2 mi
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Interesting Facts
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The word "mile" comes from the Latin "mille passus", meaning "a thousand paces", which was the distance a Roman soldier would walk in 1,000 steps.
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The longest bridge in the US, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, spans 126,720 feet (24 miles).
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A marathon is 138,435 feet (26.2 miles) long.
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The Empire State Building is 1,454 feet (0.275 miles) tall.
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A mile-long walk at an average pace takes around 15-20 minutes.
The Story of the First Transcontinental Railroad
In 1869, the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed in the United States, linking the east and west coasts. Before its completion, traveling across the country took months, but after the railroad was built, the same journey could be done in just seven days.
One of the most impressive feats during the construction was on April 28, 1869, when workers laid 10 miles (52,800 feet) of track in a single day—a record that still stands. This milestone demonstrated not only engineering brilliance but also the importance of precise measurements in feet and miles to ensure track alignment and construction accuracy.
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Conclusion
To convert ft to mi, simply divide by 5,280. While feet are useful for measuring smaller distances, miles are essential for travel, navigation, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Whether you're tracking road trips, building railroads, or running marathons, understanding the relationship between feet and miles helps put distances into perspective. For more unit conversions at your fingertips, explore our Conversion tool!
