How do I convert fathoms to feet?

Multiply the fathom value by 6. For example, 20 fathoms = 120 feet. The conversion is exact with no rounding needed.

Where does the word 'fathom' come from?

From the Old English 'faethm' meaning the span of outstretched arms. The original measurement was the distance from fingertip to fingertip with arms spread wide, which averages about 6 feet for an adult man.

Fathoms to Feet (ftm to ft) Converter

1 ftm = 6 ft

1 Fathom equals 6 Feet (1 ftm = 6 ft). Convert Fathoms to Feet with formula, table, and examples.

One fathom equals exactly 6 feet. This is the defining relationship of the fathom, derived from the span of a man's outstretched arms. The fathom-to-feet conversion is the most fundamental fathom relationship and appears on every nautical chart legend.

How to Convert Fathoms to Feet

ft = ftm × 6

Multiply the value in Fathoms by 6

Take your value in Fathoms
Multiply by 6
Read the result in Feet

Common Fathoms to Feet Conversions

Fathoms (ftm)	Feet (ft)	Status
0.25 ftm	1.5 ft
0.5 ftm	3 ft
1 ftm	6 ft
2 ftm	12 ft
3 ftm	18 ft
5 ftm	30 ft
10 ftm	60 ft
20 ftm	120 ft
50 ftm	300 ft
100 ftm	600 ft
200 ftm	1,200 ft
500 ftm	3,000 ft
1,000 ftm	6,000 ft
6,000 ftm	36,000 ft

Good to Know About Fathoms to Feet Conversion

The verb 'to fathom' (meaning to understand deeply) comes from the act of measuring depth. Just as a sailor fathoms the sea by lowering a weighted line, we 'fathom' a problem by probing its depths. The metaphor has outlived the unit in everyday English.

Fathoms to Feet: What You Need to Know

Shakespeare's 'full fathom five' is 30 feet of water. A 100-fathom depth sounding is 600 feet. The Titanic sits at about 2,066 fathoms (12,397 feet) below the surface. Nautical charts traditionally showed depths in fathoms, though many modern charts now use meters. Converting fathom soundings to feet remains a basic seamanship skill.

What is a Fathom? ftm

Exactly 6 feet (1.8288 m). Traditionally used to measure water depth in nautical contexts. Originally based on the span of outstretched arms.

Imperial water depth nautical marine charts

Learn more about Fathom →

What is a Foot? ft

An imperial unit of length equal to 12 inches or 0.3048 meters. Used in the US and UK for height, altitude, and construction.

Imperial Us-customary height altitude real estate

Learn more about Foot →

Going the other way? Use our Feet to Fathoms converter.

Fathoms to Feet FAQ

One fathom equals exactly 6 feet. This is the defining relationship of the fathom, unchanged for centuries.
Multiply the fathom value by 6. For example, 20 fathoms = 120 feet. The conversion is exact with no rounding needed.
From the Old English 'faethm' meaning the span of outstretched arms. The original measurement was the distance from fingertip to fingertip with arms spread wide, which averages about 6 feet for an adult man.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Fathoms to Feet

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

Mark Twain was a Mississippi River steamboat call meaning 'two fathoms' (12 feet) of water depth, considered safe for navigation. Samuel Clemens adopted it because it meant 'safe water ahead.' He measured literary depth; the name measured river depth.
Yes. You are exactly 1 fathom tall. The fathom was defined as the span of a man's outstretched arms, which roughly equals height, which was standardized at 6 feet. So a 6-foot person IS a walking fathom. Congratulations on your nautical significance.
A sounding in 50 fathoms required pulling up 300 feet of weighted rope. In deep water (500+ fathoms), that is 3,000+ feet of wet rope. Soundings were hard physical labor. Modern sonar does the same job with zero rope and considerably less swearing.