How Many Feet in a Fathom?
Quick Answer
There are 6 feet in a fathom.
1 fathom = 6 feet = 1.8288 m
Understanding the Conversion
One fathom equals exactly 6 feet (1.8288 meters). The fathom was originally the span of a person's outstretched arms. It is still used for measuring water depth in nautical contexts — ocean charts often show depth in fathoms.
Formula
1 fathom = 6 feet = 1.8288 m
Common Examples
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Recreational diving limit (130 ft) | ≈22 fathoms |
| Average ocean depth (12,100 ft) | ≈2,017 fathoms |
| "Full fathom five" (Shakespeare) | 30 feet deep |
Quick Reference Table
Use this table for quick conversions between fathom and feet:
| fathom | feet |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 5 | 30 |
| 10 | 60 |
| 25 | 150 |
| 50 | 300 |
| 100 | 600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Feet in a Fathom?
There are 6 feet in a fathom. One fathom equals exactly 6 feet (1.8288 meters). The fathom was originally the span of a person's outstretched arms. It is still used for measuring water depth in nautical contexts — ocean charts often show depth in fathoms.
What is the formula to convert fathom to feet?
The formula is: 1 fathom = 6 feet = 1.8288 m. To convert, multiply the number of fathoms by 6 to get the equivalent in feet.
How do I convert feet to fathom?
To convert feet to fathom, divide the number of feet by 6. For example, 30 feet equals 5 fathoms.