Fathom to Yard 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 yard is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems equal to 3 feet or 36 inches, approximately 0.914 meters. It is commonly used for measuring medium distances.

The yard's origin is uncertain, but it may have been based on the length of a man's belt or the distance from the nose to the fingertip of an outstretched arm. It was standardized in England during the 12th century and has remained relatively consistent since then.

Yards are commonly used in the United States for measuring fabric, carpeting, landscaping materials, and in American football (field dimensions). They're also used in some construction and real estate contexts, particularly for property measurements.