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Unlock the Secret: How to Change Miles to Kilometers on Garmin Forerunner 45

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • Whether you’re training for a race, logging your daily runs, or simply want to track your distance in familiar units, having your Garmin Forerunner 45 display kilometers can greatly enhance your running experience.
  • The first step in changing your units is to access the settings menu on your Garmin Forerunner 45.
  • Can I change the units on my Garmin Forerunner 45 while I am running.

Are you a runner who prefers the metric system but finds your Garmin Forerunner 45 stubbornly stuck in miles? Don’t worry, switching your watch to kilometers is a simple process. This guide will walk you through the steps, ensuring you can track your runs in the units you prefer.

The Importance of Unit Preferences

While many countries use miles, the metric system, with its kilometers, is widely adopted globally. Whether you’re training for a race, logging your daily runs, or simply want to track your distance in familiar units, having your Garmin Forerunner 45 display kilometers can greatly enhance your running experience.

Accessing the Settings Menu

The first step in changing your units is to access the settings menu on your Garmin Forerunner 45. This is done by:
1. Pressing the “Up” button on the watch face. This will bring up the main menu.
2. Scrolling down through the menu options using the “Up” and “Down” buttons.
3. Selecting “Settings” by pressing the “Select” button.

Navigating to the Unit Settings

Once you’re in the settings menu, you need to find the section dedicated to unit preferences. This is usually located under a category like “System” or “General.”
1. Scroll through the settings menu using the “Up” and “Down” buttons.
2. Look for the option labeled “System” or “General” and press the “Select” button to enter it.
3. Continue scrolling until you find the setting for units. It might be labeled “Units,” “Distance Units,” or something similar.

Selecting Kilometers

Now you’re at the heart of the unit change process. Here’s how to switch to kilometers:
1. Press the “Select” button to enter the unit settings.
2. Use the “Up” and “Down” buttons to navigate through the available options.
3. Choose “Kilometers” from the list of distance units.
4. Press the “Select” button to confirm your choice.

Verifying the Change

It’s always a good idea to double-check that the change has been applied correctly.
1. Press the “Back” button to exit the settings menu.
2. Go for a short run or simply check your watch face.
3. Observe the distance displayed on the watch. It should now be showing kilometers instead of miles.

Restarting Your Garmin Forerunner 45

In some cases, restarting your Garmin Forerunner 45 can help ensure that the unit change is fully applied. This is a quick and easy process:
1. Press and hold the “Light” button located on the top left of the watch.
2. Select “Restart” from the menu that appears.
3. Wait for the watch to restart and verify that the distance units are now in kilometers.

Additional Unit Settings

While distance is the most common unit to adjust, the Garmin Forerunner 45 also allows you to customize other settings, such as:

  • Time: You can switch between a 12-hour and 24-hour clock format.
  • Weight: You can choose between pounds and kilograms.
  • Height: You can select between feet and inches or centimeters.

These additional settings can be found within the “System” or “General” settings menu, similar to how you changed the distance units.

Wrap-Up: Ready to Run Metric

By following these simple steps, you’ve successfully changed your Garmin Forerunner 45 to display distance in kilometers. Now you can track your runs in a way that feels familiar and comfortable. Enjoy your runs with the metric system at your side!

What You Need to Learn

Q: What if I change my mind and want to go back to miles?
A: Simply follow the same steps as above, but choose “Miles” instead of “Kilometers” when selecting your distance unit.
Q: Will changing the units affect my previous data?
A: No, your previous data will remain in its original units. The unit change only affects how new data is displayed.
Q: Can I change the units on my Garmin Forerunner 45 while I am running?
A: No, you cannot change the units while you are actively running. You’ll need to stop your run, access the settings menu, and make the change.
Q: Why is my Garmin Forerunner 45 still showing miles even after I changed the units?
A: If you’ve followed the steps correctly and are still seeing miles, try restarting your watch. This can sometimes resolve the issue. If the problem persists, consult the Garmin support website or contact their customer service for further assistance.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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