A foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
Feet to Fathoms Converter — ft to ftm
Convert Foot (ft) to Fathom (ftm) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot = 0.1666666667 fathom). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Feet to Fathoms converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A fathom is six feet.
Result = input x 0.3048 / 1.8288.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Feet to Fathoms
Foot and Fathom both measure length. Foot is most often used for height measurement in the us and uk.
Formula
fathoms = feet × 0.166666666667
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot equals 0.3048 base units, and 1 fathom equals 1.8288 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-to-fathom factor of 0.166666666667.
Simple example
1 ft × 0.1666666667 = 0.1666666667 ftm
1 foot = 0.1666666667 fathoms.
Real-world example
10 ft × 0.1666666667 = 1.666666667 ftm
10 feet = 1.666666667 fathoms.
Conversion table
| Foot (ft) | Fathom (ftm) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.1666666667 ftm |
| 5 ft | 0.8333333333 ftm |
| 10 ft | 1.666666667 ftm |
| 21.0975 ft | 3.51625 ftm |
| 42.195 ft | 7.0325 ftm |
| 100 ft | 16.66666667 ftm |
Reverse conversion: Fathom to Foot
0.1666666667 ftm × 6 = 1 ft
0.1666666667 fathoms = 1 feet.
feet = fathoms × 6
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Fathom to Foot.
Understanding the Foot
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)
Uses of the Foot today
- Height measurement in the US and UK
- US construction and real estate (square footage)
- Aviation altitude worldwide (feet remain standard even in metric countries)
History of the Foot
The foot has ancient roots (Roman 'pes', various regional English feet), standardized into the modern English foot over centuries. The international foot (exactly 0.3048 m) was fixed by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, resolving small historical differences between US and UK measurements.
Historical origin. Foot was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Fathom (ftm)
A fathom is six feet.
Foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern foot at exactly 0.3048 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many fathoms are in 1 foot?
1 foot equals 0.1666666667 fathoms, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot to fathom?
Multiply the foot value by 0.1666666667. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert fathom back to foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 fathom equals 6 feet. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot?
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a fathom?
Fathom (ftm) is a unit of length.
Is the foot to fathom conversion exact?
Yes. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the foot still used today?
United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)