Convert Barleycorn (barleycorn) to Fathom (US Survey) (fath (US)) instantly.
About these units
Barleycorn (barleycorn)
The barleycorn is an English unit, approximately 1/3 inch (8.47 mm), originally based on the length of a grain of barley. It served as a small-scale measure in tailoring, shoe sizing, and other crafts. In particular, the English shoe size system was historically based on barleycorns, with increments in size corresponding to single barleycorn units. This unit exemplifies the anthropometric and agronomic origins of measurement. Even today, the barleycorn's influence persists in the traditional shoe sizing system in the UK and the US, providing continuity with historical practices.
Fathom (US Survey) (fath (US))
The US Survey Fathom is defined as 6 US Survey Feet (~1.8288 meters), identical in proportion to the traditional fathom but scaled to the US Survey Foot. Maritime surveys, early river navigation, and hydrographic measurements relied on this unit for determining depths and plotting charts. In terrestrial applications, the fathom occasionally served as a practical measure for large structures or obstacles. Although less relevant in contemporary usage, understanding the US survey fathom is crucial for interpreting historical navigation data, nautical charts, and engineering projects using older measurement systems.