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How to change the unit of measurement on your Garmin watch

On most Garmin watches, change units in Settings > System > Units, though the exact path varies by model. Garmin Connect offers account-wide Statute, Statute UK, and Metric presets; check device and weather settings separately if a display does not update.

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On most Garmin watches, open Settings > System > Units, choose a measurement category, and select an available unit. Menu paths and options vary by model; if that path is missing, check System > Format > Units or System > Advanced > Format > Units, or search your watch’s owner’s manual for “Changing the Units of Measure.”

You can also set an account-wide measurement preset in Garmin Connect. If the watch does not follow that setting, check the device’s settings separately; weather may have its own unit control.

Change units on the watch

  1. Open the watch’s Settings menu.
  2. Try System > Units.
  3. If you do not see Units there, check System > Format > Units or System > Advanced > Format > Units.
  4. Choose a measurement category and an available unit. The categories and choices depend on the watch model.
  5. If the menus differ, search the owner’s manual for “Changing the Units of Measure.”

Depending on the model, separate options may be available for distance, pace or speed, elevation, depth, weight, height, temperature, swim totals, pressure, or vertical speed. Not every watch offers every category.

Change measurement units in Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect app

  1. Open Garmin Connect and tap More in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Go to Settings > User Settings > Measurement Units.
  3. Choose Statute, Statute UK, or Metric.

These are account-level presets; Garmin Connect does not offer individual category mixing there. Statute UK is like Statute, except elevation is shown in meters. App labels may change as Garmin updates the app.

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Garmin Connect web

  1. Sign in to Garmin Connect on the web.
  2. Open Profile & Account > Account Settings > Display Preferences > Measurement Units.
  3. Select the preferred preset.

The website’s labels may differ slightly from these directions. Garmin’s general instructions describe account presets separately from unit choices that some compatible watches provide on the device.

Watch settings and account settings compared

Where you change units Scope Available choices
Watch settings That device May allow individual measurement categories; options vary by model.
Garmin Connect app or web Account preference Statute, Statute UK, or Metric presets.
Device settings in Garmin Connect Device-specific settings, where available Routes and options vary by model.
Weather settings Weather display May be controlled separately from general measurement units.

Why is the unit of measure not updating?

Garmin’s support guidance notes that some models require changing units in more than one place. The account preference, a device setting in Garmin Connect, and the watch itself may be separate controls; which ones are available depends on the model.

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  1. Confirm the account preset in Garmin Connect under More > Settings > User Settings > Measurement Units.
  2. In the app, open More > Garmin Devices > [your device] and check the available settings. Depending on the model, look for General > Measurement Units, Device Settings > System, or System > Advanced > Format > Units.
  3. Check the watch’s own Settings menu for its Units option.
  4. If only the weather display uses different units, check weather controls in Garmin Connect, Garmin Golf, device settings, the watch, or the Weather Glance, as available on your model.

Garmin notes that some device-setting instructions do not apply to devices that use Real Time Settings. If the labels or routes on your watch differ, use its owner’s manual rather than assuming another model’s steps will match.

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FAQ

Where is the Units setting on a Garmin watch?

For most watches, try Settings > System > Units. Other models place it under System > Format > Units or System > Advanced > Format > Units.

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Can I choose different units for different measurements?

Some compatible watches let you choose units by category, but available categories vary by model. Garmin Connect account settings instead offer the Statute, Statute UK, and Metric presets.

What is the difference between Statute and Statute UK?

Garmin says Statute UK is like Statute, except elevation is in meters.

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Why does my watch still show different units after I change Garmin Connect?

The account preference and device settings may be separate. Check the watch itself and any device-level unit controls available in Garmin Connect. For weather alone, check the separate weather settings that your model provides.

Where can I find the exact instructions for my model?

Search your watch’s owner’s manual for “Changing the Units of Measure.” Garmin’s menu paths and available options vary by model.

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