Fathom - International Fathom

International Fathom

One fathom is equal to:

• 1.8288 metres exactly (1 metre is about 0.5468 fathoms)
• 2 yards (1 yard is exactly 0.5 fathoms)
• 6 feet (1 foot is about 0.1667 fathoms)
• 18 hands
• 72 inches

In the international yard and pound agreement of 1959 the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom defined the length of the international yard to be exactly 0.9144 metre. With the adoption of the metric SI system the use of fathoms declined.