How many meters are in 1 kilometer?

One kilometer is equivalent to 1000 meters because the metric system is based on powers of ten. The prefix 'kilo-' denotes a factor of 1000, which means that when you convert kilometers to meters, you multiply the number of kilometers by 1000. Thus, 1 kilometer is equal to 1 × 1000 meters, resulting in 1000 meters. This relationship is fundamental in understanding metric conversions, making it easier to navigate calculations involving distances in the metric system.