##  [kilometre, km](/writing-tips-plus/kilometre-km)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

## On this page

- [Spelling: “kilometre” or “kilometer”](#spelling)
- [Symbol “km”](#km)
- [Spacing with “kilometre” or “km”](#spacing)
- [Use of “kilometre” or “km” in different contexts](#usecontext)
- [Use of “kilometre” or “km” as a modifier](#usemodifier)
- [Informal use of symbol “K” for “kilometres”](#informal)
- [Additional information](#moreinfo)

## Spelling: “kilometre” or “kilometer”

Canadians generally prefer the British spelling **kilometre**. However, the American spelling **kilometer** is also accepted.

## Symbol “km”

Because the metric system uses symbols, not abbreviations, the symbol **km** for **kilometre** does not contain periods, or an **s** in the plural form.

- From Winnipeg, it is 2,306 km to Vancouver and 2,372 km to Montréal.

The symbol **km** is always in lower case, even when the rest of the text is in upper case, as in a newspaper headline.

- Headline: ALBERTA ADDS 10 km OF NEW HIGHWAY IN BANFF

A measurement in kilometres per hour is expressed as **km/h** (**not** kmh **or** kph).

- A good cyclist can travel at 25 km/h for hours on end.

Area and volume in the metric system are expressed by means of superscript numerals: **km2** (**not** square kilometres).

- Located east of Yellowknife, Nahanni National Park spans more than 30,000 km2.

## Spacing with “kilometre” or “km”

Leave a space between **kilometre** (or its symbol **km**) and the number or numeral immediately before it.

- It is two kilometres from here to the lake.
- The diameter of the earth is 12,742 km from pole to pole.

## Use of “kilometre” or “km” in different contexts

In general writing, for greater clarity, you may use the word **kilometres** spelled out in full, even after a numeral:

- Matthew received a ticket for driving 55 kilometres per hour in a school zone.

However, in scientific and technical writing, use the symbol **km** after a numeral:

- The distance from the earth to the moon is 384,400 km.

When no specific figure is stated, write **kilometre** in full.

- The first bolts of lightning struck near the lake—just a kilometre away.

## Use of “kilometre” or “km” as a modifier

For the sake of clarity, when using **kilometre** as a modifier, insert a hyphen between the numeral and the unit name.

- In this 10-kilometre race, participants may run, walk or bicycle.

However, if you use the symbol **km**, don’t put a hyphen between the numeral and the symbol.

- In this 10 km race, participants may run, walk or bicycle.

## Informal use of symbol “K” for “kilometres”

**K** isn’t an official symbol for **kilometres**, but races are often described by this letter. Don’t leave a space or put a hyphen between the numeral and the symbol **K**.

- Juanita ran a 10K (**or** a 10 km) race in her best time yet.

## Additional information

- [Abbreviations: International System of Units (SI)](../writing-tips-plus/abbreviations-international-system-of-units-si)
- [Capitalization: SI/metric units](../writing-tips-plus/capitalization-si-metric-units)

##  Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus

© Sa Majesté le Roi du chef du Canada, représenté par le ou la ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement
Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

## Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator).

- [Abbreviations, acronyms and symbols](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A447#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Abbreviations](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A447&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A448#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Units of measurement](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A447&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A452#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)

## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)