The fathom, an intriguing unit of length measurement, is primarily used in nautical contexts to measure water depth. Originally derived from the Old English word “fæðm,” meaning “to embrace,” it represents the span of a person’s outstretched arms, approximately six feet. This makes it a convenient measurement for sailors in the past who used to determine depth using a weighted rope called a “lead line.”

Following centuries of maritime tradition, the fathom remains a vital tool in oceanography and the maritime industry. It’s fascinating to note that it also plays a symbolic role, metaphorically plunging into “fathomless” depths to denote the mysteries of the sea. While modern technology has advanced far beyond lead lines, the fathom remains a cherished part of nautical lexicon.

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The meter, adopted in 1799, is the fundamental unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). Originally based on a fraction of the Earth’s meridian, its definition evolved with technological advancements. It is now precisely defined by the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second, linking it to the universal constant of the speed of light. This ensures unparalleled accuracy and consistency in scientific measurements across the globe.

Interestingly, the concept of a meter has influenced daily life far beyond science. It is essential in urban planning, architecture, and sports. For instance, track lengths in athletics are meticulously designed using meters, ensuring fair competition and record standards worldwide. The meter’s universality promotes consistency and understanding in a wide array of disciplines.

Fathoms

Meters

0 fathom

0 m

1 fathom

1.8288 m

2 fathom

3.6576 m

3 fathom

5.4864 m

4 fathom

7.3152 m

5 fathom

9.144 m

6 fathom

10.9728 m

7 fathom

12.8016 m

8 fathom

14.6304 m

9 fathom

16.4592 m

10 fathom

18.288 m

11 fathom

20.1168 m

12 fathom

21.9456 m

13 fathom

23.7744 m

14 fathom

25.6032 m

15 fathom

27.432 m

16 fathom

29.2608 m

17 fathom

31.0896 m

18 fathom

32.9184 m

19 fathom

34.7472 m

20 fathom

36.576 m

21 fathom

38.4048 m

22 fathom

40.2336 m

23 fathom

42.0624 m

24 fathom

43.8912 m

25 fathom

45.72 m

26 fathom

47.5488 m

27 fathom

49.3776 m

28 fathom

51.2064 m

29 fathom

53.0352 m

30 fathom

54.864 m

31 fathom

56.6928 m

32 fathom

58.5216 m

33 fathom

60.3504 m

34 fathom

62.1792 m

35 fathom

64.008 m

36 fathom

65.8368 m

37 fathom

67.6656 m

38 fathom

69.4944 m

39 fathom

71.3232 m

40 fathom

73.152 m

41 fathom

74.9808 m

42 fathom

76.8096 m

43 fathom

78.6384 m

44 fathom

80.4672 m

45 fathom

82.296 m

46 fathom

84.1248 m

47 fathom

85.9536 m

48 fathom

87.7824 m

49 fathom

89.6112 m

50 fathom

91.44 m

51 fathom

93.2688 m

52 fathom

95.0976 m

53 fathom

96.9264 m

54 fathom

98.7552 m

55 fathom

100.584 m

56 fathom

102.4128 m

57 fathom

104.2416 m

58 fathom

106.0704 m

59 fathom

107.8992 m

60 fathom

109.728 m

61 fathom

111.5568 m

62 fathom

113.3856 m

63 fathom

115.2144 m

64 fathom

117.0432 m

65 fathom

118.872 m

66 fathom

120.7008 m

67 fathom

122.5296 m

68 fathom

124.3584 m

69 fathom

126.1872 m

70 fathom

128.016 m

71 fathom

129.8448 m

72 fathom

131.6736 m

73 fathom

133.5024 m

74 fathom

135.3312 m

75 fathom

137.16 m

76 fathom

138.9888 m

77 fathom

140.8176 m

78 fathom

142.6464 m

79 fathom

144.4752 m

80 fathom

146.304 m

81 fathom

148.1328 m

82 fathom

149.9616 m

83 fathom

151.7904 m

84 fathom

153.6192 m

85 fathom

155.448 m

86 fathom

157.27679 m

87 fathom

159.10559 m

88 fathom

160.93439 m

89 fathom

162.76319 m

90 fathom

164.59199 m

91 fathom

166.42079 m

92 fathom

168.24959 m

93 fathom

170.07839 m

94 fathom

171.90719 m

95 fathom

173.73599 m

96 fathom

175.56479 m

97 fathom

177.39359 m

98 fathom

179.22239 m

99 fathom

181.05119 m

100 fathom

182.88 m

Conversion

Fathoms to Nanometers

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Fathoms to Micrometers

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Fathoms to Millimeters

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Fathoms to Centimeters

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Fathoms to Decimeters

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Fathoms to Kilometers

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Fathoms to Mils

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Fathoms to Inches

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Fathoms to Yards

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Fathoms to US Survey Feet

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Fathoms to Feet

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Fathoms to Miles

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Fathoms to Nautical Miles

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Fathoms to Meters Conversion

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