Fathom

Fathom is a unit of length in the imperial system and the U.S. customary units, used especially for measuring the depth of water.

Definition[edit | edit source]

A fathom is equal to six feet or 1.8288 metres, used especially for measuring the depth of water. The word fathom, from Old English fæðm meaning outstretched arms, was originally defined as the span of a man's outstretched arms, about six feet, since the average man is six feet tall.

History[edit | edit source]

The fathom was originally based on the distance between a man's outstretched arms from fingertip to fingertip. It was used in the Middle Ages to measure land and is now used primarily to measure water depth and in the textile industry for measuring cloth.

Usage[edit | edit source]

In the United Kingdom, the fathom is not an official unit for trade. However, it is still used in the United States and Canada for depth in the maritime industry. The fathom is also used in the textile industry for measuring cloth.

Conversion[edit | edit source]

One fathom is equal to:

6 feet
2 yards
1.8288 meters
72 inches

See also[edit | edit source]

Fathom Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.