XConvertOther Unit ConversionsDownloadsCompress MP4

Feet (ft) to Fathoms (fathom) conversion

Feet to Fathoms conversion table

Feet (ft)Fathoms (fathom)
00
10.1666666666667
20.3333333333333
30.5
40.6666666666667
50.8333333333333
61
71.1666666666667
81.3333333333333
91.5
101.6666666666667
203.3333333333333
305
406.6666666666667
508.3333333333333
6010
7011.666666666667
8013.333333333333
9015
10016.666666666667
1000166.66666666667

How to convert feet to fathoms?

Converting between feet and fathoms is a common task, especially in maritime contexts. Here's a breakdown of the conversion process, some background information, and examples.

Conversion Fundamentals: Feet to Fathoms

The key to converting between feet and fathoms is understanding their relationship.

  • 1 fathom = 6 feet
  • 1 foot = 16\frac{1}{6} fathoms ≈ 0.166667 fathoms

This relationship is consistent regardless of base 10 or base 2 systems, as these are units of length and not digital storage.

Converting Feet to Fathoms: Step-by-Step

To convert a given number of feet to fathoms, divide the number of feet by 6.

Fathoms=Feet6\text{Fathoms} = \frac{\text{Feet}}{6}

Example:

Convert 1 foot to fathoms:

Fathoms=1 foot6=0.166667 fathoms\text{Fathoms} = \frac{1 \text{ foot}}{6} = 0.166667 \text{ fathoms}

Converting Fathoms to Feet: Step-by-Step

To convert fathoms to feet, multiply the number of fathoms by 6.

Feet=Fathoms×6\text{Feet} = \text{Fathoms} \times 6

Example:

Convert 1 fathom to feet:

Feet=1 fathom×6=6 feet\text{Feet} = 1 \text{ fathom} \times 6 = 6 \text{ feet}

Historical Context and Interesting Facts

The term "fathom" originates from Old English "fæthm," which means "outstretched arms." It was initially defined as the length of the average span of a man's outstretched arms. This is why it's approximately 6 feet, which is close to the average arm span.

The fathom is historically significant in maritime navigation. Depths on nautical charts are often given in fathoms, especially for deeper waters. Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, famously used the term "mark twain," meaning two fathoms or 12 feet, as a riverboat pilot term indicating safe water depth. This phrase became his pen name.

Real-World Examples and Common Conversions

Here are some real-world examples of feet-to-fathoms conversions:

  1. Depth Soundings: A depth sounding of 30 feet is equal to 5 fathoms.

    30 feet6=5 fathoms\frac{30 \text{ feet}}{6} = 5 \text{ fathoms}

  2. Ship Draft: A ship with a draft of 42 feet requires a channel depth of 7 fathoms to navigate safely.

    42 feet6=7 fathoms\frac{42 \text{ feet}}{6} = 7 \text{ fathoms}

  3. Cable Length: A section of undersea cable that is 6000 feet long corresponds to 1000 fathoms.

6000 feet6=1000 fathoms\frac{6000 \text{ feet}}{6} = 1000 \text{ fathoms}

Use cases

  • Nautical Charts: Nautical charts use fathoms to indicate water depths, particularly in coastal and offshore regions. Source: https://www.charts.noaa.gov/
  • Marine Engineering: In marine engineering, conversions between feet and fathoms are crucial for designing and constructing underwater structures, such as pipelines and offshore platforms.

See below section for step by step unit conversion with formulas and explanations. Please refer to the table below for a list of all the Fathoms to other unit conversions.

What is feet?

Here's a breakdown of the unit "feet," covering its definition, history, and applications:

Understanding Feet

The foot is a unit of length in several different systems, including the US Customary Units and the British Imperial System. It's commonly used to measure lengths and distances in everyday contexts.

Definition and History

The foot is defined as exactly 12 inches. One international foot is equal to 0.3048 meters.

1 foot=12 inches=0.3048 meters1 \text{ foot} = 12 \text{ inches} = 0.3048 \text{ meters}

Historically, the foot was based on the human foot, but its length varied across different regions and times. The standardization of the foot measurement helped bring uniformity to various applications. Check out this Wikipedia article on Foot for more history.

Notable Associations

While there isn't a specific "law" tied directly to the foot, its consistent use in various fields like construction, sports, and real estate makes it a foundational unit. No specific person is heavily associated with the unit of measurement.

Real-World Examples

  • Height: People often measure their height in feet and inches (e.g., 5 feet 10 inches).
  • Room Dimensions: Room sizes are frequently described in feet (e.g., 12 feet by 15 feet).
  • Sports Fields: Field dimensions in sports like American football (where yards are used) are based on feet (3 feet in one yard).
  • Construction: Lumber and building materials are often sold in foot increments.

Conversions

Here are some common conversions involving feet:

  • Feet to Inches: Multiply the number of feet by 12.

    Inches=Feet×12\text{Inches} = \text{Feet} \times 12

  • Feet to Meters: Multiply the number of feet by 0.3048.

    Meters=Feet×0.3048\text{Meters} = \text{Feet} \times 0.3048

  • Feet to Yards: Divide the number of feet by 3.

    Yards=Feet3\text{Yards} = \frac{\text{Feet}}{3}

What is Fathoms?

Fathoms are a unit of length primarily used for measuring water depth. Understanding its origin and applications provides valuable context for maritime and historical studies.

Definition of Fathom

A fathom is a unit of length equal to six feet (approximately 1.8288 meters). It's primarily used in maritime contexts to measure the depth of water. The symbol for fathom is fm.

Origin and History

The term "fathom" originates from the Old English word "fæthm," which meant the distance between the fingertips of two outstretched arms. This roughly corresponds to six feet. Historically, it was a practical way for sailors to measure depth before sophisticated instruments were available.

How is a Fathom Formed?

The length of a fathom is based on the average span of a man's outstretched arms. While not precisely defined by any single individual's measurement, it represents a practical approximation.

1 fathom=6 feet=1.8288 meters1 \text{ fathom} = 6 \text{ feet} = 1.8288 \text{ meters}

Interesting Facts and Historical Significance

  • Nautical Charts: Fathoms are commonly used on nautical charts to indicate water depth.
  • Treasure Island: Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" references fathoms in describing depths where treasure is buried.
  • Submarines: Depth ratings for submarines are often expressed in feet, which can be easily converted to fathoms for quick reference.

Real-World Examples

  • Sounding the Depth: In older nautical texts, you'll often read about "sounding the depth," where a weighted line marked in fathoms is dropped to the seabed to determine the water's depth.
  • Modern Nautical Charts: Today's nautical charts use fathoms and feet to provide precise depth information for navigation. For example, a chart might indicate a depth of "10 fathoms 3 feet," meaning 63 feet.
  • Titanic's Resting Place: The wreck of the Titanic lies at a depth of approximately 1,250 fathoms (around 12,500 feet).

Conversion Examples

  • Fathoms to Feet: 5 fathoms = 5 * 6 feet = 30 feet
  • Fathoms to Meters: 10 fathoms = 10 * 1.8288 meters = 18.288 meters
  • Feet to Fathoms: 24 feet = 24 / 6 fathoms = 4 fathoms

Additional Resources

For a deeper dive into the history and usage of fathoms, consult the following resources:

Complete Feet conversion table

Enter # of Feet
Convert 1 ft to other unitsResult
Feet to Nanometers (ft to nm)304799990.2464
Feet to Micrometers (ft to μm)304799.9902464
Feet to Millimeters (ft to mm)304.7999902464
Feet to Centimeters (ft to cm)30.47999902464
Feet to Decimeters (ft to dm)3.047999902464
Feet to Meters (ft to m)0.3047999902464
Feet to Kilometers (ft to km)0.0003047999902464
Feet to Mils (ft to mil)12000
Feet to Inches (ft to in)12
Feet to Yards (ft to yd)0.3333333333333
Feet to US Survey Feet (ft to ft-us)0.999998000004
Feet to Fathoms (ft to fathom)0.1666666666667
Feet to Miles (ft to mi)0.0001893939393939
Feet to Nautical Miles (ft to nMi)0.0001645787114145

Length conversions