Meaning & use
kph
Last updated
Meaning
abbreviation
Kilometers per hour, a unit for measuring speed.
Grammar: Written after a number, e.g., '80 kph'; it does not change form for plural.
Patterns
- number + kph
- kph + number
The speed limit on this road is 100 kph.
The car was traveling at 60 kph when it hit the barrier.
Wind speeds reached 120 kph during the storm.
Common combinations
- speed of ... kph
- The train reached a speed of 300 kph.
- travel at ... kph
- We traveled at an average of 80 kph.
- kph limit
- The kph limit is strictly enforced here.
Synonyms and how they differ
- km/h
- The standard written symbol; 'kph' is an informal but very common abbreviation.
- kilometers per hour
- The full form, used in formal writing or speech; 'kph' is shorter and more casual.
Commonly confused: kph or mpg? kph or mph?
kph vs mpg
'mpg' stands for miles per gallon and measures fuel efficiency, not speed.
kph vs mph
'mph' means miles per hour and is used mainly in the US and UK; 'kph' is used in most other countries and in science.
Practice
What does 'kph' stand for?
Choose one answer.
'kph' is the abbreviation for 'kilometers per hour', a unit of speed. The other options are plausible-sounding but incorrect: 'knots per hour' is not a standard unit, 'kilograms per hour' measures mass flow, and 'kilowatts per hour' measures power.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kph”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.