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What Countries Still Use Mph?

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Last updated on 6 min read

As of 2026, mph is still used in the USA, Myanmar, Liberia, the UK, and several Caribbean nations—it remains the primary unit for speed limits in these places

Does Canada use mph?

Canada doesn’t use mph as its main speed unit—it uses km/h (kilometers per hour)

Most provinces and territories set their limits in km/h, like 50 km/h (31 mph) in cities or 80 km/h (50 mph) in the countryside. The highest posted limit hits 120 km/h (75 mph) on British Columbia’s Coquihalla Highway. If you’re driving there, always check local signs—some rural roads and construction zones have lower limits. Speed limits get strict enforcement with fines and demerit points.

Does UK use mph or kph?

The UK uses mph for speed limits and mph on speedometers

As of 2026, the UK stands alone in Europe and the Commonwealth for using miles per hour in its laws. You’ll see mph on every road sign, from the 60 mph (97 km/h) limit on single carriageways to the 70 mph (113 km/h) on motorways. Even distance markers use miles. Drivers from the US or other mph regions will feel right at home.

Does Japan use mph or kph?

Japan uses km/h (kilometers per hour) for all posted speed limits

By law, speed limits default to 100 km/h (62 mph) on divided national expressways and 60 km/h (37 mph) elsewhere unless signs say otherwise. Cities usually drop that to 50 km/h (31 mph). Speed cameras are everywhere, and fines hit hard. Tourists should watch closely—limits change fast with road conditions.

Does Germany use mph or kph?

Germany mostly uses km/h on speed limits and speedometers

Germany has no nationwide speed limit on many Autobahns, but the advisory speed is 130 km/h (81 mph). Where limits exist, they’re posted in km/h, like 100 km/h on rural roads or 50 km/h in towns. Some stretches have temporary limits for construction or weather. Keep an eye on signs, especially in cities and school zones.

Does Australia Use mph?

Australia doesn’t use mph—it uses km/h exclusively for speed limits

Since the 1980s, Australia has gone all-in on km/h for every road sign. Cities cap at 50 km/h (31 mph), while highways run from 90 km/h (56 mph) to 110 km/h (68 mph) depending on the state. Speed cameras and police enforcement are everywhere, so always stick to the posted limits no matter how familiar the numbers look.

Does UK use LBS or KG?

The UK officially uses kilograms (kg) for weight, though pounds (lbs) still pop up in everyday talk

Legally, the UK uses metric for trade and official weights in kg. But in casual conversation, people still talk about body weight in stones and pounds—like “12 stone 6 lbs.” Grocery labels show grams and kilograms, but market scales might flip between both. Gyms and shops often default to metric, so travelers should double-check.

How fast can you drive in Canada?

Maximum speed limits in Canada vary by road type, typically ranging from 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas to 120 km/h (75 mph) on some highways

Road TypeKilometers per hour (km/h)Miles per hour (mph)
Multi-lane highways110 km/h68 mph
Most 2-lane highways (outside cities)80–100 km/h50–62 mph
Major urban roads60–70 km/h37–44 mph
Residential streets40–50 km/h25–31 mph

Police and cameras enforce these limits strictly. In winter, you might see lower advisory limits due to weather. Always adjust your speed for conditions, especially in rural or mountainous areas.

What is the fastest speed limit in the USA?

The fastest posted speed limit in the USA is 85 mph (137 km/h), found only on Texas State Highway 130

This toll road, nicknamed the “Pickle Parkway,” connects Austin and San Antonio at high speeds. Most states cap limits at 75–80 mph (121–129 km/h) on interstates. Only a handful allow 80 mph on certain highways. Even where no limit is posted, the “basic speed law” applies—you must drive safely for conditions.

How many countries use mph?

As of 2026, mph is used in about 10 countries and territories, including the USA, UK, Myanmar, Liberia, and several small island nations like Antigua, Bahamas, and Cayman Islands

Country or TerritoryRegion
United StatesNorth America
United KingdomEurope
MyanmarSoutheast Asia
LiberiaAfrica
Antigua and BarbudaCaribbean
BahamasCaribbean
BarbadosCaribbean
Cayman IslandsCaribbean
BelizeCentral America
Turks and Caicos IslandsCaribbean

This small club mostly comes from British history, regional deals, or resistance to metrication. Several of these places have started using km/h in limited ways, but mph still rules on road signs.

Why are Japanese cars limited to 112 mph?

Japanese domestic-market cars are limited to 180 km/h (112 mph) under a voluntary automaker agreement to boost safety and cut fuel use

This “gentlemen’s agreement” has been in place since the 1980s, capping top speeds for passenger vehicles sold in Japan. The goal was to improve road safety and reduce environmental harm by discouraging high-speed driving. Exports (like to the US) don’t face this cap, so domestic models stay restricted. Some performance cars exceed it but only sell overseas.

Do Japanese use inches?

Japan uses the metric system officially, but inches still show up in certain places like bicycle tire sizes, screen dimensions, and some hardware measurements

For example, you’ll see 27-inch bicycle wheels everywhere, and screens (like laptops and TVs) often get described in inches. While technical standards use millimeters, imperial units linger in consumer products for tradition and convenience. Travelers might run into inch-based measurements in electronics stores or when renting gear.

What is the highest speed limit in the world?

The highest posted speed limit in the world is 160 km/h (99 mph), currently enforced on two motorways in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

These limits apply on parts of the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highways, where wide lanes and modern infrastructure make high-speed travel possible. The UAE has poured serious money into road safety and monitoring to support these limits. Most countries set lower caps for safety and environmental reasons.

What country has no speed limit?

Germany is the only country with large sections of highway (Autobahn) that have no federally mandated speed limit

About 70% of the Autobahn network has no enforced cap, though drivers are urged to follow an advisory 130 km/h (81 mph). Some states add local limits, especially near cities or construction. Germany’s approach balances driver freedom with safety campaigns and targeted enforcement in high-risk spots.

What is the fastest speed ever recorded on the Autobahn?

The fastest recorded speed on the Autobahn was 432 km/h (268 mph), set by Rudolf Caracciola in 1938

This record came from a closed-section time trial, not regular traffic. Modern production cars can’t hit those speeds, and even supercars get electronically limited for safety. Today, unrestricted sections see typical top speeds around 250 km/h (155 mph).

Why are German cars limited to 155mph?

German automakers voluntarily cap most standard production cars at 250 km/h (155 mph) under a decades-old “gentlemen’s agreement” to promote road safety and reduce environmental harm

This self-imposed rule started in the 1970s and still applies to most consumer vehicles. High-performance models (like the Porsche 911 GT3 or Audi R8 V10) break past this limit but come with advanced safety tech. The agreement shows Germany’s mix of automotive freedom and social responsibility.

Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
James Cartwright

James Cartwright is a geography writer and former high school geography teacher who has spent 20 years making maps and distances interesting. He can name every capital city from memory and insists that geography is the most underrated subject in school.