Convert Fathom to Link
Convert fathoms to links instantly. 1 fathom = 9.0909090909 link — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Link to Fathom converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Fathom
A fathom is an Imperial unit of length equal to 6 feet or exactly 1.8288 meters. It is used almost exclusively for measuring water depth in maritime contexts.
The fathom derives from the Old English word fæthm, meaning "the embracing arms" — the distance between the fingertips of a person's outstretched arms. Standardized at 6 feet in English maritime tradition.
Fathoms are used in nautical depth charts, scuba diving, oceanography, and maritime literature. Despite metrication efforts, fathoms remain common in English-language nautical charts and recreational diving.
Old English origin (predating 1066); standardized at 6 feet by English maritime tradition; fixed at 1.8288 m exactly via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Link
A link is an Imperial unit of length equal to 7.92 inches (201.168 mm) — exactly 1/100 of a surveyor's chain. It is the smallest unit in the chain-based survey measurement system.
The link was defined by Edmund Gunter in 1620 as part of his 22-yard surveying chain. He divided the chain into 100 links specifically to enable easy decimal arithmetic when computing parcel areas.
Links appear in historical US and UK land survey documents (especially pre-1900). Modern surveyors generally use feet or meters but legacy deed records and government land surveys still cite acreage in chains and links.
Defined by Edmund Gunter in 1620; standardised as 7.92 inches via the chain definition; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Fathom to Link conversion formula
The relationship between fathoms and links:
To convert fathoms to links, multiply the value in fathoms by 9.0909090909. To reverse, multiply links by 0.11.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in links updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Link to Fathom converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert fathoms to links
- Write down the value in fathoms (ftm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 9.0909090909.
- The product is the equivalent value in links (lk).
- To reverse, multiply the link value by 0.11.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 ftm to lk:
1 × 9.0909090909 = 9.0909090909 lk
Example 2 — Convert 100 ftm to lk:
100 × 9.0909090909 = 909.0909090909 lk
Real-world example — Reference scenario in case of fallback
Conversion between human-scale length units is the everyday workflow of architecture, athletics, and apparel design — three of the most common contexts that span metric and imperial systems.
1 ftm × 9.0909090909 = 9.0909090909 lk
Real-world example — Adult height conversion
A 1.8-fathom-tall person measures a value in links that converts the height to the unit favoured by American forms, schools, or driver's licences. This is daily routine for anyone living between metric and imperial systems.
1.8 ftm × 9.0909090909 = 16.3636363636 lk
Real-world example — Fabric purchase length
Two fathoms of fabric equals a value in links essential for tailors and textile buyers sourcing material from international suppliers that quote in different units.
2 ftm × 9.0909090909 = 18.1818181818 lk
Fathom to Link conversion table
Standard reference values for converting fathoms to links:
| Fathom [ftm] | Link [lk] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0909090909 |
| 0.1 | 0.9090909091 |
| 1 | 9.0909090909 |
| 2 | 18.1818181818 |
| 3 | 27.2727272727 |
| 4 | 36.3636363636 |
| 5 | 45.4545454545 |
| 10 | 90.9090909091 |
| 20 | 181.8181818182 |
| 30 | 272.7272727273 |
| 40 | 363.6363636364 |
| 50 | 454.5454545455 |
| 100 | 909.0909090909 |
| 500 | 4545.4545454545 |
| 1000 | 9090.9090909091 |
Frequently asked questions
How many links is 1 fathom?
How do I convert fathoms to links?
How do I convert links back to fathoms?
How many links is 100 fathoms?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Fathom to other length units
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Metric / SI (7 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Nautical (1 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 ftm = 9.0909090909 lk) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.