Treadmill units show on the console as km/h or mph; check the display, settings menu, or brand-specific toggle to confirm.
Distance and speed on a treadmill are shown in one of two systems: metric (kilometers and km/h) or imperial/US customary (miles and mph). Picking the one you train with keeps your pace targets, distance goals, and race plans consistent. The fastest way to tell which system your machine uses is to read the console labels and speed readout, then open the settings and look for a units option. If the display shows “mph,” you’re on miles; “km/h” signals kilometers. Many home models let you switch in seconds, while some gym consoles lock the setting.
Is Your Treadmill Set To Km Or Miles? Quick Checks
Start with the simplest clues. Scan the screen for “mph” or “km/h.” If your console shows pace, you’ll see “min/mi” or “min/km.” Some brands add small unit tags next to distance totals (“MI” or “KM”). If nothing obvious appears, open the settings or information menu and look for “Units,” “Measurement,” “English/Metric,” or “Display.”
Fast Ways To Tell At A Glance
- Speed readout shows “mph” or “km/h.”
- Pace view shows “min/mi” or “min/km.”
- Distance total labeled “MI” or “KM.”
- Preset buttons jump in familiar steps: many US-market consoles bump speed by 0.1 mph; metric consoles often step by 0.1 km/h.
Common Brand Behaviors
Most modern machines support both systems. Some brands hide the toggle under a service or information mode, while others put it in a simple “Units” setting on the touchscreen.
Where Units Live On Popular Consoles
| Brand/Console | Where To Change Units | Quick Clue On Screen |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Fitness (T101/T202/T303/7.0AT/Elite) | Hold Incline Up + Speed Down, enter settings, pick miles or kilometers (ENG/Metric). | Distance labeled MI or KM; speed shows mph or km/h. |
| NordicTrack (many iFIT touchscreens) | Equipment/Console settings → Units (English/Metric). | Speed mph vs km/h; pace min/mi vs min/km. |
| ProForm (Sport/Cadence/Coach) | Display/St-M button or touchscreen units; some models toggle in info mode. | “MPH” or “KPH” on speed; MI or KM on distance. |
| Sole (F-series) | Factory/settings menu from key/button combo; pick English or Metric. | mph vs km/h and MI vs KM labels. |
| Peloton Tread | Profile settings on the touchscreen → Units of measurement. | Speed shown in mph by default in many classes; distance in mi or km per setting. |
| Woodway/Club Consoles | Units toggle inside settings or a hidden service menu (gym staff may lock). | mph or km/h on speed line; pace option varies by console. |
How To Switch The Treadmill From Miles To Kilometers (Or Back)
The exact path depends on the console. The steps below cover the most common patterns. If your screen looks different, the idea is the same: enter the console settings, find “Units,” then pick miles or kilometers and save.
Touchscreen Consoles
- Open the main menu, then Settings or Equipment Settings.
- Open Units, Measurement, or Display.
- Select English/Standard (miles, mph) or Metric (kilometers, km/h).
- Save and return to the workout screen to confirm the new labels.
Button Consoles (Non-Touch)
- Look for an Info, Mode, or Display key. Press to cycle to Units.
- Use Speed +/- to choose miles or kilometers; press Enter to save.
- If no menu exists, a service combo may open a settings screen. Common patterns include holding Incline Up + Speed Down for a few seconds or holding Stop while reinserting the safety key to enter a setup page.
Brand-Specific Notes (Representative Models)
- Horizon Fitness: Many models open a settings page by holding Incline Up and Speed Down. From there, pick ENG (miles) or Metric (kilometers), then save. See Horizon’s step-by-step guide for exact button sequences on T101, T202, T303, 7.0AT, 7.4AT, and Elite lines.
- NordicTrack: Touchscreen consoles include an Equipment/Console Settings section where you can select English or Metric. Older consoles may use an info mode accessed with an Enter button to switch units.
- ProForm: Many units have a St/M (Stat/Metrics) or Display button that switches between MI/KM and MPH/KPH. Touchscreen models place the toggle in settings.
- Sole: Settings may appear after a key/button entry sequence; once inside, choose English or Metric and save.
- Peloton Tread: Units can be set under the profile’s Units of Measurement, so each user can choose miles or kilometers.
Why The Right Unit Setting Matters For Training
Pace charts, distance targets, and class callouts assume a system. Runners in US-based classes often hear speed targets in mph and pace in minutes per mile; many global plans use minutes per kilometer. Using the same units on your treadmill and in your plan keeps splits consistent and avoids math mid-run. If you switch plans or travel, change the treadmill units to match your schedule or race prep.
What The Console Labels Mean
Speed
mph is miles per hour and km/h is kilometers per hour. The belt speed converts directly between the two; changing units doesn’t change how fast the deck moves, only how the number is displayed.
Pace
min/mi shows how many minutes one mile takes at the current speed; min/km shows the minutes per kilometer. Some consoles let you show pace alongside speed, which helps when following a plan that uses time-per-distance cues.
Quick Conversion Basics For Runners
One international mile equals exactly 1.609344 kilometers. To go from miles to kilometers, multiply by 1.609344. To go from kilometers to miles, divide by 1.609344 (or multiply by 0.621371). These factors come from national standards sources and are used across fitness and engineering references.
For a brand-authored walk-through of a common console toggle, see Horizon’s miles ↔ kilometers instructions. For exact conversion factors, see NIST’s conversion table entry for mile ↔ kilometer.
Handy Mental Math
- mph to km/h: multiply by 1.6 (close enough for quick pacing).
- km/h to mph: multiply by 0.62.
- 5 mph ≈ 8.0 km/h (easy jog for many).
- 6 mph ≈ 9.7 km/h (10:00/mi pace is ~6 mph, which is ~9.7 km/h).
Speed And Pace Cross-Reference
Use this table to match belt speed to pace in both systems for quick workouts and class calls.
| Speed | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 mph / 6.4 km/h | 15:00 | 9:19 |
| 5.0 mph / 8.0 km/h | 12:00 | 7:27 |
| 6.0 mph / 9.7 km/h | 10:00 | 6:13 |
| 7.0 mph / 11.3 km/h | 8:34 | 5:19 |
| 8.0 mph / 12.9 km/h | 7:30 | 4:40 |
| 9.0 mph / 14.5 km/h | 6:40 | 4:09 |
| 10.0 mph / 16.1 km/h | 6:00 | 3:44 |
| 11.0 mph / 17.7 km/h | 5:27 | 3:23 |
| 12.0 mph / 19.3 km/h | 5:00 | 3:06 |
Step-By-Step: Confirm And Change Units On Typical Models
Horizon Fitness (Examples: T101, 7.0AT)
- With the console on standby, press and hold Incline Up (+) and Speed Down (−) for a few seconds.
- Use the Speed keys to navigate to the units setting (ENG/Metric).
- Select miles or kilometers, then hold Stop to save and exit.
NordicTrack Touchscreen Consoles
- Open Equipment or Console Settings.
- Tap Units and choose English (miles) or Metric (kilometers).
- Return to the workout screen to verify mph vs km/h.
ProForm (Sport/Cadence/Slimline Variants)
- Press the St/M or Display button until the units field flashes.
- Toggle to MI/MPH or KM/KPH; press Enter if prompted.
- Start the belt briefly to confirm the labels update.
Sole F-Series
- Enter the settings/factory menu using the console’s key/button sequence listed in the owner’s manual.
- Select English or Metric, then save.
- Power cycle if the display doesn’t refresh at once.
Peloton Tread
- Open your profile on the touchscreen.
- Go to Units of Measurement and select miles or kilometers.
- Each profile can keep its own preference.
Troubleshooting When Units Won’t Change
No Units Option On Screen
Some non-touch consoles hide units in a service page. Look for an info mode or button combo sequence in the owner’s manual. If a gym console won’t change, staff may lock the menu to keep every machine consistent across classes.
Units Change, Numbers Feel “Off”
The belt moves at the same physical speed in either system; only the labels change. If the new numbers look unfamiliar, use the speed/pace table above for quick cross-checks during a workout.
Buttons Don’t Enter Settings
Remove the safety key, wait 30 seconds, reinsert, then repeat the entry sequence. If the toggle still doesn’t appear, update console firmware if your model supports it. For older units, a service visit may be needed to fix an unresponsive keypad.
Tips To Keep Training Consistent
- Match your race plan: set the treadmill to the same system your race uses.
- Align with your coach or app: pick the units your plan calls out for speed and pace.
- Use quick math: memorize one or two anchor pairs (6.0 mph ≈ 9.7 km/h; 8:00/mi ≈ 4:58/km).
- Save per-user: where supported, set units per profile so each runner gets their preference.
Bottom Line On Treadmill Units
Your machine isn’t locked to one system. Read the speed label, check the settings menu, and switch to the units that match your plan. Keep a couple of conversion anchors handy so class cues and training paces translate cleanly during every run.