Which countries still use miles?

Which countries still use miles? Not just the US

Many people wonder which countries still use miles instead of kilometers for distance. Navigating international travel or global trade becomes confusing when measurement standards differ across borders. Knowing these specific locations helps travelers and businesses adapt quickly, avoiding critical navigational errors and ensuring compliance with local road regulations globally.

Which Countries Still Use Miles for Distance?

Only three countries have not fully adopted the metric system as their primary national standard for weights and measures: the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar.^[1] However, a few other nations, most notably the United Kingdom, still use miles for road distances and speed signs, creating a mixed measurement system in daily life.

The confusion often stems from the difference between official adoption and practical, everyday use. While nearly every country in the world uses the metric system to some extent, several have not yet converted 100%, retaining imperial units for specific, often legally protected, situations.(reference:1)

The Primary Holdouts: US, Liberia, and Myanmar

The United States, Liberia, and Myanmar are frequently cited as the only countries using imperial units 2026. This is largely accurate when discussing primary systems of measurement. Their continued use of miles is a direct holdover from pre-metric British standards.(reference:2)

However, the situation is more nuanced. In the United States, the metric system has been legal since 1866 and was designated the preferred system for trade and commerce in 1988.^[2] Adoption remains voluntary, so miles continue to appear on road signs and vehicle speedometers, even though industries such as science, medicine, and the military mainly use metric measurements.

Liberia and Myanmar have also taken steps toward metrication to improve international trade and economic integration. Their transition has progressed slowly because replacing road signs, updating educational materials, and modernizing infrastructure require significant funding and coordination.

The United Kingdom: Officially Metric, Yet Miles Remain

The United Kingdom presents the most unique case. While it officially adopted the metric system decades ago, it has retained imperial units for several specific purposes. This means a British driver navigates using road signs measured in miles and obeys speed limits displayed in miles per hour (mph).(reference:6)

This dual system is legally sanctioned. British law permits imperial units for road traffic signs, distance, speed, and for dispensing draught beer and cider in pints. This creates a fascinating cultural blend where a person might measure a journey in miles, order a pint at the pub, and weigh themselves in stone, all while living in a nation that is officially metric.(reference:7)

Other Countries Using Miles (Informally or in Specific Contexts)

Beyond the main four, several other countries and territories use miles informally, often due to close historical or political ties to the US or UK.

Canada switched to metric in the 1970s, but the blend of systems is striking in daily life. Canadians often describe their height in feet and inches and their weight in pounds, while drivers licenses list height in centimeters. Construction and home improvement are largely imperial, with lumber and drywall sold in inch-based measurements.(reference:8)

Many Caribbean nations, including Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis, also use miles per hour for their road signs, reflecting their historical ties.(reference:9)

Other former British territories, such as Hong Kong, use a mix of imperial, metric, and traditional Chinese systems. While their official road signs are in kilometers, imperial units like square feet for real estate are still common.(reference:10)

How the Rest of the World Measures Distance

The rest of the world—approximately 192 countries—has officially adopted the metric system for most measurements. From major economies like China, Japan, and Germany to small island nations, kilometers (km) are the standard for road signs, maps, and everyday distance communication.(reference:11)(reference:12)

This global adoption facilitates international trade, scientific collaboration, and travel. The metric systems decimal-based design, where units are easily scaled by factors of ten, is inherently simpler and more intuitive than the imperial systems varied conversion factors. The trend towards metrication continues globally, driven by the need for standardized communication in an interconnected world.

Comparison: Road Distance Measurement by Country

For a traveler or researcher, understanding countries that use miles for distance is crucial. The table below breaks down the primary system used on official road signs.

Road Distance Measurement by Country

United States

- Partially complete, but stalled. Metric is legal but voluntary.

- Miles (mi) and Miles per hour (mph)

United Kingdom

- Partially complete, but stalled. Metric is official, but imperial is legally permitted for roads and specific uses.

- Miles (mi) and Miles per hour (mph) for road signs.

Liberia

- Partially complete, but stalled due to lack of resources.

- Primarily Miles, transitioning to metric.

Myanmar (Burma)

- Partially complete. Official metric system is used to facilitate trade.

- Primarily Miles, but with ongoing metric transition.

Canada

- Complete. Switched in the 1970s, though imperial units persist in daily conversation.

- Kilometers (km) and km/h (officially metric).

Rest of World (Most Countries)

- Complete. The metric system is the global standard for measurement.

- Kilometers (km) and km/h.

A Road Trip from Toronto to Buffalo: Crossing the Metric-Imperial Divide

Sarah, a logistics coordinator from Toronto, often drives to Buffalo, New York, for work. Leaving her home in Canada, she follows the 400-series highways with speed limit signs clearly marked in kilometers per hour (km/h) - a system she's used her entire life.

Twenty minutes later, as she crosses the Peace Bridge into the United States, the road signs abruptly change. The speed limit drops from 100 km/h to 65 mph. Sarah has to mentally adjust, knowing that 65 mph is roughly 105 km/h, to ensure she doesn't get a speeding ticket.

This mental shift happens for every measurement. The distance to her next exit is now displayed in miles. She has to convert the "15 miles" to kilometers to estimate her arrival time. It's a constant, real-time process of translating between two systems.

Sarah has learned to keep a small conversion card in her car. The key is to not panic. She focuses on the road signs in front of her, trusting the numbers, and uses her car's speedometer, which conveniently displays both mph and km/h, to stay within the legal limit.