A marathon is 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers. That is the official race distance used in modern road marathons. If you are trying to understand the distance, pacing or how it compares with shorter races, the key number to remember is 26.2 miles.
Marathon distance in miles and kilometers
| Race distance | Miles | Kilometers |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 26.2 miles | 42.195 km |
| Half marathon | 13.1 miles | 21.0975 km |
| 10K | 6.21 miles | 10 km |
| 5K | 3.11 miles | 5 km |
The marathon is not just “about 26 miles”. The official modern distance is 26 miles and 385 yards, which converts to 42.195 km.
Why is a marathon 26.2 miles?
The marathon distance became standardized after the early Olympic marathon era. Today, race organizers use 42.195 km as the official marathon distance, which equals 26.2 miles when rounded for runners.
How long does it take to complete a marathon?
Finish time depends heavily on pace, training and course conditions. Many recreational runners finish somewhere between 4 and 6 hours, while faster amateur runners may be closer to 3–4 hours. Walking a marathon can take much longer.
| Average pace | Approximate marathon finish time |
|---|---|
| 6:00 min/km | About 4 hours 13 minutes |
| 7:00 min/km | About 4 hours 55 minutes |
| 8:00 min/km | About 5 hours 38 minutes |
| 10:00 min/km | About 7 hours 02 minutes |
If you are comparing running pace with everyday movement, see our guide to average human running speed.
Marathon vs 5K, 10K and half marathon
- 5K: a marathon is about 8.44 times longer than a 5K. See how many miles a 5K is.
- 10K: a marathon is a little more than 4.2 times longer than a 10K.
- Half marathon: a marathon is exactly twice the half-marathon distance.
- Walking distance: for perspective, a marathon is more than seven times a 6 km walk.
How many steps is a marathon?
A marathon can be roughly 52,000 to 65,000 steps, depending on stride length, running form and fatigue. Runners usually take fewer steps than walkers over the same distance because each stride is longer.
| Average stride length | Approximate steps for a marathon |
|---|---|
| 0.65 m | About 64,900 steps |
| 0.75 m | About 56,300 steps |
| 0.85 m | About 49,600 steps |
| 1.00 m | About 42,200 steps |
FAQ
How many miles is a marathon exactly?
A marathon is 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers.
Is a marathon 26 miles or 26.2 miles?
The official distance is 26.2 miles. Saying 26 miles is a rough shorthand, but it leaves out about 0.2 miles.
How many kilometers is a marathon?
A marathon is 42.195 kilometers.
Is a marathon twice a half marathon?
Yes. A half marathon is 13.1 miles, so a marathon is exactly twice the distance.
Bottom line
A marathon is 26.2 miles / 42.195 km. Use that number for race comparisons, pace planning and training context.
