Convert Rod (US Survey) (rd (US)) to Famn (famn) instantly.
About these units
Rod (US Survey) (rd (US))
The US Survey Rod equals 16.5 US Survey Feet (~5.0292 meters). Like the chain and furlong, it serves as a subdivision of larger units, maintaining consistency with historic Gunter-based measurements. Surveyors historically used rods to measure short distances, delineate boundaries, and calculate acreages. Its simple relationship to chains and furlongs made it practical for field measurements without complex arithmetic. Today, the US survey rod primarily appears in historical records, legal surveys, and when referencing pre-metric property data, providing continuity between older and modern surveying conventions.
Famn (famn)
The famn, related to the English fathom, was a Scandinavian unit roughly equal to 1.78 meters. Like other fathoms, it originated as the distance between a person's outstretched arms, making it a natural measure for tasks performed at arm's length. Historically, the famn was used in maritime contexts, forestry, and measuring firewood. Sailors relied on it when describing water depth, rope lengths, and the dimensions of boats. On land, stacked firewood was often quantified in famnar, making the unit central to resource management in cold northern regions. Today, the famn has largely disappeared from practical use, but it continues to appear in maritime literature, folklore, and historical accounts. Its surviving references help illuminate the working methods and daily experiences of Nordic sailors, fishermen, and rural communities prior to metrication.