Fathoms to Meters Converter (ftm to m)
Convert between fathoms and meters instantly. Supports both directions, live updates, and a quick reference table for common depths.
Fathoms ⇄ Meters Conversion
Quick fathoms to meters table
| Fathoms (ftm) | Meters (m) | Approx. feet |
|---|
How to convert fathoms to meters
A fathom is a traditional nautical unit of length used mainly to measure water depth. In the modern international system:
1 fathom = 6 feet = 1.8288 meters
To convert a depth from fathoms to meters, multiply by 1.8288:
meters = fathoms × 1.8288
Example: 10 fathoms to meters
Suppose a chart shows a depth of 10 fathoms. In meters:
meters = 10 × 1.8288 = 18.288 m
So 10 fathoms ≈ 18.29 m (rounded to two decimal places).
How to convert meters to fathoms
To go the other way, divide by 1.8288:
fathoms = meters ÷ 1.8288
Example: 30 meters to fathoms
Convert 30 m to fathoms:
fathoms = 30 ÷ 1.8288 ≈ 16.4042 ftm
So 30 m ≈ 16.40 fathoms.
Fathoms, meters, and feet – comparison
The table below shows some common depths in all three units:
| Fathoms | Meters | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.8288 | 6 |
| 5 | 9.144 | 30 |
| 10 | 18.288 | 60 |
| 20 | 36.576 | 120 |
| 50 | 91.44 | 300 |
What is a fathom?
Historically, a fathom was based on the span of a person’s outstretched arms. It became standardized in the English-speaking world as:
- 1 fathom = 6 feet
- 1 fathom ≈ 1.8288 meters (exact in the international system)
Fathoms are still used in nautical charts and by divers and sailors to describe water depth and lengths of rope, chain, or cable.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in 1 fathom?
Exactly 1.8288 meters. This comes from 1 fathom = 6 feet and 1 foot = 0.3048 meters, so 6 × 0.3048 = 1.8288.
How many fathoms are in 1 meter?
There are about 0.5468 fathoms in 1 meter:
1 ÷ 1.8288 ≈ 0.5468 fathoms
Why do sailors still use fathoms?
Fathoms are convenient for mental arithmetic at sea and are deeply rooted in maritime tradition. Many nautical charts and depth sounders still show fathoms, especially in older or regional systems.
Is a fathom always exactly 6 feet?
In modern usage, yes: the international fathom is defined as exactly 6 international feet. Historically, there were small regional variations, but for navigation and engineering you should assume the exact value used here.