Fathom to Nautical Mile Converter

A fathom is a unit of length primarily used for measuring the depth of water, equal to 6 feet or approximately 1.83 meters. It represents the span of a person's outstretched arms.

The fathom derives from the Old English 'fæthm' meaning 'outstretched arms' or 'embrace'. It was originally based on the distance between the fingertips of a person's outstretched arms, typically about 6 feet. It has been used for measuring water depth since ancient times.

Fathoms are still used in some maritime contexts for measuring water depth, particularly in traditional sailing and fishing communities. However, meters are increasingly preferred for official nautical charts and modern navigation systems.

A nautical mile is a unit of length used in navigation, equal to exactly 1,852 meters or approximately 1.151 statute miles. It is based on the Earth's circumference and is defined as one arc minute of latitude.

The nautical mile originated from the need for a unit of distance that related to the Earth's geometry for navigation purposes. It was historically defined as one minute of arc along a meridian of the Earth. The international nautical mile was standardized at exactly 1,852 meters in 1929.

Nautical miles are universally used in maritime and aviation navigation worldwide. They're the standard unit for measuring distances at sea, flight distances, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones. Speed in nautical miles per hour is called a knot.