Convert Cable to Fathom
Convert cables to fathoms instantly. 1 cable = 101.2685914261 fathom — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Fathom to Cable converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
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
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 to Fathom conversion formula
The relationship between cables and fathoms:
To convert cables to fathoms, multiply the value in cables by 101.2685914261. To reverse, multiply fathoms by 0.00987473.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in fathoms updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Fathom to Cable converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert cables to fathoms
- Write down the value in cables (cable).
- Multiply that value by the factor 101.2685914261.
- The product is the equivalent value in fathoms (ftm).
- To reverse, multiply the fathom value by 0.00987473.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 cable to ftm:
1 × 101.2685914261 = 101.2685914261 ftm
Example 2 — Convert 100 cable to ftm:
100 × 101.2685914261 = 10126.8591426072 ftm
Cable to Fathom conversion table
Standard reference values for converting cables to fathoms:
| Cable [cable] | Fathom [ftm] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1.0126859143 |
| 0.1 | 10.1268591426 |
| 1 | 101.2685914261 |
| 2 | 202.5371828521 |
| 3 | 303.8057742782 |
| 4 | 405.0743657043 |
| 5 | 506.3429571304 |
| 10 | 1012.6859142607 |
| 20 | 2025.3718285214 |
| 30 | 3038.0577427822 |
| 40 | 4050.7436570429 |
| 50 | 5063.4295713036 |
| 100 | 10126.8591426072 |
| 500 | 50634.2957130359 |
| 1000 | 101268.5914260717 |
Frequently asked questions
How many fathoms is 1 cable?
How do I convert cables to fathoms?
How do I convert fathoms back to cables?
How many fathoms is 100 cables?
Popular length unit conversions
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 cable = 101.2685914261 ftm) 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 Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.