Convert Fingerbreadth (fingerbreadth) to Fathom (US Survey) (fath (US)) instantly.
About these units
Fingerbreadth (fingerbreadth)
The fingerbreadth, approximately 1.9–2 cm, is the width of an average adult finger and represents one of the smallest practical body-based units. It was historically used for fine measurement in weaving, tailoring, and small-scale construction, complementing units like cubits and handbreadths. Its human-scale precision made it intuitive, particularly in societies without standardized rulers or measuring rods. Fingerbreadths continue to be referenced in scholarly studies of ancient measurements, providing insight into the practical and anthropometric foundations of early systems.
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.