Convert Fathom to Cable
Convert fathoms to cables instantly. 1 fathom = 0.00987473 cable — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Cable 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.
Cable
A cable is a nautical unit of length equal to one tenth of a nautical mile (exactly 185.2 m). It is used in maritime navigation for short-distance descriptions.
The cable derives from the historical length of a ship's anchor cable. Standardised at one tenth of an international nautical mile in 1929.
Cables are used in modern maritime navigation when describing short distances between vessels, anchoring depths, and harbor manoeuvres. Common in naval and yachting contexts.
Standardised at 1/10 nautical mile by the International Hydrographic Organization in 1929.
Fathom to Cable conversion formula
The relationship between fathoms and cables:
To convert fathoms to cables, multiply the value in fathoms by 0.00987473. To reverse, multiply cables by 101.2685914261.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in cables updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Cable to Fathom converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert fathoms to cables
- Write down the value in fathoms (ftm).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.00987473.
- The product is the equivalent value in cables (cable).
- To reverse, multiply the cable value by 101.2685914261.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 ftm to cable:
1 × 0.00987473 = 0.00987473 cable
Example 2 — Convert 100 ftm to cable:
100 × 0.00987473 = 0.9874730022 cable
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 × 0.00987473 = 0.00987473 cable
Real-world example — Adult height conversion
A 1.8-fathom-tall person measures a value in cables 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 × 0.00987473 = 0.017774514 cable
Real-world example — Fabric purchase length
Two fathoms of fabric equals a value in cables essential for tailors and textile buyers sourcing material from international suppliers that quote in different units.
2 ftm × 0.00987473 = 0.01974946 cable
Fathom to Cable conversion table
Standard reference values for converting fathoms to cables:
| Fathom [ftm] | Cable [cable] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 9.87473e-5 |
| 0.1 | 0.000987473 |
| 1 | 0.00987473 |
| 2 | 0.01974946 |
| 3 | 0.0296241901 |
| 4 | 0.0394989201 |
| 5 | 0.0493736501 |
| 10 | 0.0987473002 |
| 20 | 0.1974946004 |
| 30 | 0.2962419006 |
| 40 | 0.3949892009 |
| 50 | 0.4937365011 |
| 100 | 0.9874730022 |
| 500 | 4.9373650108 |
| 1000 | 9.8747300216 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cables is 1 fathom?
How do I convert fathoms to cables?
How do I convert cables back to fathoms?
How many cables 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 = 0.00987473 cable) 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.