Convert Length from Mile to Fathom (mi to fathom)

Mile to Fathom Conversion Formula

To convert from Mile (mi) to Fathom (fathom), use the following formula:

Example

Let's convert 5 Mile (mi) to Fathom (fathom).

Using the formula:

Therefore, 5 Mile (mi) is equal to $4400$ Fathom (fathom).

What is a Mile (mi)?

A mile (mi) is a common unit of length used in the imperial and US customary systems of measurement.

The official definition of a mile is 5,280 feet (ft). The plural form is miles.

Where Did the Word "Mile" Come From?

The word "mile" has ancient roots, originating from the Latin phrase "mille passus," which translates to "a thousand paces."

In ancient Rome, one pace was measured as two steps (one left and one right). The Roman mile was therefore 1,000 paces, which equals approximately 4,850 feet—slightly shorter than the modern mile.

What's the Difference Between a Statute Mile and a Nautical Mile?

Not all miles are created equal. While most people are familiar with the land mile, there is also a separate measurement used for air and sea travel.

The Statute Mile (Land Mile)

The commonly used mile on land is the statute mile, which is officially defined as 5,280 feet. This measurement is used for driving distances and most other land-based activities in the imperial system.

The Nautical Mile (Air and Sea)

The nautical mile is used for navigation in aviation and maritime settings. It is based on the Earth's circumference and is equal to one minute of arc of latitude. A nautical mile is longer than a statute mile.

Here's a quick comparison:

• 1 Statute Mile = 5,280 feet
• 1 Nautical Mile = approximately 6,076 feet (or about 1.15 statute miles)

Why Are There 5,280 Feet in a Mile?

The seemingly random number of 5,280 feet in a mile comes from English history. In 1593, the English Parliament, under Queen Elizabeth I, passed a statute to standardize units of measurement.

The statute defined the official length of a mile as being equal to 8 furlongs. Since one furlong was already established as 660 feet, the calculation was simple:

• 8 furlongs × 660 feet = 5,280 feet

This decision solidified the length of the statute mile that we still use today in countries that follow the imperial system.

What is a Fathom, and How Long Is It?

A fathom is a unit of length in the imperial system of measurement.

It is most famously used for measuring the depth of water.

A fathom is equal to exactly 6 feet (or 1.8288 meters). The plural form is fathoms.

Fathom at a Glance:

• Unit of: Length
• System: Imperial & U.S. Customary
• Equal to: 6 feet (1.8288 meters)

Where Does the Word 'Fathom' Come From?

The word "fathom" originates from the Old English word "fæthm," which means "outstretched arms" or "a pair of embracing arms."

Historically, a fathom was defined as the distance from the middle fingertip of one hand to the middle fingertip of the other when a person's arms are fully extended.

This made it a convenient and readily available unit of measurement for sailors and workers.

How Was the Fathom Used at Sea?

The fathom is best known for its use in a nautical context to measure water depth.

Mariners would drop a weighted line, called a sounding line, into the water and count the number of "arm spans" it took to reach the bottom.

This measurement was crucial for safe navigation, anchoring, and creating nautical charts to map the seabed.

Is the Fathom Still Used Today?

While modern technology and the metric system have replaced the fathom in official hydrographic surveys, its influence persists.

The term is still used informally in commercial fishing and can be found on many older nautical charts.

Figuratively, the verb "to fathom"—meaning to understand something deeply—is a direct link to the original act of measuring depth and getting to the bottom of things.

What is the imperial system?

Mile to Fathom Conversion Table

Here are some quick reference conversions from Mile (mi) to Fathom (fathom):