How do I show speed in Km/h?

Max 6 months ago

Hello All,

In my profile on the Connect app I have set the measurement units to metric, however on my watch some data is still shown in imperial measurements. I notice this most when cycling, where the speed measurement on the watch is well below my speed measured elsewhere, and even by simple "I covered 15 Km in half an hour so typically when I look at my watch I should see a speed of about 30Km/h" but the watch gives a speed of maybe 17 or 18. The watch doesn't show which units it is using, that would be helpful, but the numbers are right for miles per hour not Km/h. Do you know how to set speed to Km/h? Is there perhaps a separate setting for each activity?

My Garmin Connect is installed on iOS. My Garmin watch is a Vivoactive 5.

Best wishes, Max

Top Replies

B1nny 5 months ago +1 verified

I find that it can be very confusing aligning all the measurement units across the app and watch! The app has Metric, Statute and Statute UK. Then in the watch there's preferences for Distance and Pace…

All Replies

0 Max 6 months ago

Possibly related: There is an unanswered question about setting speed to metric on a Forerunner 245 Music here: forums.garmin.com/.../can-t-change-units-to-metric-with-forerunner-245-music

0 e7andy 6 months ago

You change that in the system settings: https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-5D183A14-BB43-4A9B-B441-5F824214CE40/EN-US/GUID-1C27C7A0-27EE-41C0-8B50-ED8F6D6DB2DE.html

0 Max 5 months ago in reply to e7andy

Thanks. I have checked that and it is already on Km for distance. It looks as if some fields don't use the global settings.

0 e7andy 5 months ago in reply to Max

So, you get different values in the watch compared to Garmin Connect?

0 Max 5 months ago in reply to e7andy

Yes

0 e7andy 5 months ago in reply to Max

Switch unit on the watch to miles. Back out. Then change it to kilometers again.

+1 B1nny 5 months ago

I find that it can be very confusing aligning all the measurement units across the app and watch! The app has Metric, Statute and Statute UK. Then in the watch there's preferences for Distance and Pace/Speed in Miles or Kilometres, but separately preferences for either Speed or Pace.

Double check them all and as e7andy mentioned change them, sync and change them back again. Maybe refresh the data fields in the activity too - hopefully that fixes the issue.

0 Max 5 months ago in reply to B1nny

Thank you. On the watch there are indeed two different settings that both need to be set to Km. For posterity:

To switch to metric:

On the Watch:
- Hold the bottom button
- Settings
- System
- Format
  - Units
    - Distance -> Kilometers
    - Weight -> Kilograms
    - Height -> Centimeters
    - Temperature -> Celsius
    - Pressure --> HectoPascal
  - Pace/Speed -> Kilometers <------ !!!! Second distance setting !!!!
On the phone:
- At the bottom right, click More
- Settings
- User Settings
- Measurement Units -> Metric

I am not sure anyone will ever want distance in Km and speed in mph so I don't know why the setting is separate but hey, weeks of frustration are over so thanks a lot!