Statute miles vs miles?

Answer:

A mile, as we know it today, is 5,280 feet ('nautical miles' being something else). The difference between a mile and a statute mile is historical, rather than practical.

Many hundreds of years ago, a mile meant different things to different people. It became necessary, eventually, for a mile to be the same distance for all concerned.

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a statute was passed by the English Parliament that standardized the measurement of a mile, thus giving rise to the term 'statute' mile. The measurement of a mile at 5,280 feet is now accepted almost everywhere in the world.

A 'nautical mile' is different, being 6,080 feet.

First answer by Auldepharte69. Last edit by Auldepharte69. Contributor trust: 267 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].