How Far Is a Klick in Military Terms?

The military uses some unique slang and terminology. One term you may hear is “klick” when discussing distances or coordinates. But what exactly does klick mean and how far is a military klick?

A klick refers to a kilometer or 1,000 meters. It is commonly used by military personnel, especially in the field, when navigating or plotting distances.

The term klick is simply a shorthand way of saying kilometer. It provides a standard unit of distance for military operations.

Origins of the Word Klick

Klick was first used in the Vietnam War era. It comes from the sound made by mechanical kilometer counters mounted on vehicles. These devices would make a “klick” sound for every kilometer traveled.

Over time, soldiers and Marines in Vietnam began using klick to refer to the kilometers marked by the devices. After the war, klick stuck around as slang for a kilometer in all branches of the military.

The term is still widely used today across the U.S. armed forces including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. It is common in NATO nations as well.

What is a kilometer?

A kilometer equals 1,000 meters. Meters are the base unit of distance in the metric system used by most of the world.

Some key facts about kilometers:

• 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters
• 1 kilometer = 0.62 miles
• 1 mile is about 1.6 kilometers.

So a kilometer is slightly longer than a half-mile. Knowing the km-to-mile conversion helps understand distances in klicks.

How Far is a Klick?

When soldiers talk about a klick, they are referring to a distance of 1 kilometer or 0.62 miles. Here are some ways to visualize klick distances:

• 5 football fields end to end
• 10 city blocks in Manhattan’s
• A lap around many high school tracks
• About a 10-12 minute walk at casual pace

So when you hear troops refer to settings, waypoints, or objectives being “5 klicks” or “8 klicks” away, you know that translates to kilometers and miles.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! A “klick” is simply another way to say “kilometer,” but with a military twist. It’s a term that has helped soldiers communicate effectively for decades and continues to be a part of military vernacular today.