distance
How much is a biblical Roman mile?
The mile behind Matthew 5:41 is normally understood as the Roman mile, shorter than a modern statute mile.
Interactive reference
Convert a biblical measurement
Choose a unit and enter an amount to see a modern metric and labeled US customary or Imperial range.
Roman mile — The mile behind Matthew 5:41 is normally understood as the Roman mile, shorter than a modern statute mile.
The range reflects reconstruction of the Roman thousand-pace measure rather than the modern 1,609 m mile.
Direct answer
1 Roman mile ≈ 1.45–1.48 km ≈ 0.9–0.92 mi
The range reflects reconstruction of the Roman thousand-pace measure rather than the modern 1,609 m mile.
Biblical ratio: 1,000 Roman double-paces.
| Amount | Metric range | US customary / imperial range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Roman mile | 1.45–1.48 km | 0.9–0.92 mi |
| 2 Roman miles | 2.9–2.96 km | 1.8–1.84 mi |
| 5 Roman miles | 7.25–7.4 km | 4.5–4.6 mi |
| 10 Roman miles | 14.5–14.8 km | 9.01–9.2 mi |
Primary reference: Encyclopedia of the Bible · Weights and Measures ↗. Used for historical variation, the fathom, and the warning that biblical metrology is not an exact modern system. Accessed October 10, 2026.
Bible passages using this unit
Questions about Roman miles
How much is one Roman mile today?
1.45–1.48 km, or 0.9–0.92 mi, in this site's selected approximate system. The range reflects reconstruction of the Roman thousand-pace measure rather than the modern 1,609 m mile.
Is the Roman mile conversion exact?
No. Biblical weights and measures varied by period, place, and standard. The displayed range is for reading scale and should not be treated as a calibrated surviving object.
Can I turn the result into a modern price or food weight?
Not without additional evidence. Metal price, purchasing power, material purity, grain density, and container packing are separate questions from unit conversion.
Related units
stadion
A stadion was a Greek distance associated with a stadium course, commonly estimated at about 185 metres.
Sabbath day's journey
A Sabbath day's journey was a conventional limited travel distance, often related to about 2,000 cubits.
day's journey
A day's journey describes travel achieved in a day, not a calibrated ancient ruler.