Fathoms to Yards
An instant fathoms-to-yards converter, with the formula and a reference table below.
| Fathoms | Yards |
|---|---|
| 1 ftm | 2 yd |
| 2 ftm | 4 yd |
| 3 ftm | 6 yd |
| 5 ftm | 10 yd |
| 10 ftm | 20 yd |
| 25 ftm | 50 yd |
| 50 ftm | 100 yd |
| 100 ftm | 200 yd |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Fathoms field.
- The Yards figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Yards field converts back to Fathoms the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Fathoms to Yards formula
Converting fathoms to yards is a single multiplication by 2.
yd = ftm × 2
Put another way, one fathom is exactly 2 yards.
Why this factor: the fathom and the yard are both defined against the meter, so dividing one definition by the other gives 2 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 2 — or use the Yards to Fathoms converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 5 ftm. Multiply by 2 to get 10 yd.
5 ftm × 2 = 10 yd
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
What is a fathom?
A fathom is six feet, the traditional unit for water depth.
Definition: Six international feet, so exactly 1.8288 meters.
Where it is used: Nautical charts, depth soundings, and anchor and cable lengths.
What is a yard?
A yard is three feet, the mid-range imperial length unit familiar from sports fields.
Definition: Exactly 0.9144 meter since the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, which harmonized the US and Commonwealth definitions.
Where it is used: American football, fabric and carpet, landscaping materials, and golf distances.
Fathoms vs Yards
The fathom is a specialized unit while the yard is an imperial unit. That is why the factor between them is not a round number: the two systems were defined independently and only later tied together by exact agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards are in a fathom?
One fathom equals 2 yards.
What is the formula to convert fathoms to yards?
Multiply the number of fathoms by 2. To reverse it, divide by 2 instead.
How do I convert yards back to fathoms?
Divide by 2, which is the same as multiplying by 0.5.
How many yards are in 10 fathoms?
10 ftm works out to 20 yd.
How is the fathom defined?
Six international feet, so exactly 1.8288 meters.