Yards to Fathoms
Type a value in either box to convert between yards and fathoms. The factor is 0.5.
| Yards | Fathoms |
|---|---|
| 1 yd | 0.5 ftm |
| 2 yd | 1 ftm |
| 3 yd | 1.5 ftm |
| 5 yd | 2.5 ftm |
| 10 yd | 5 ftm |
| 25 yd | 12.5 ftm |
| 50 yd | 25 ftm |
| 100 yd | 50 ftm |
How to use
- Enter a value in the Yards field.
- The Fathoms figure appears immediately — no button to press.
- Typing in the Fathoms field converts back to Yards the same way.
- Use the reference table for the values that come up most often.
Yards to Fathoms formula
Converting yards to fathoms is a single multiplication by 0.5.
ftm = yd × 0.5
Put another way, one yard is exactly 1/2 of a fathom.
Why this factor: the yard and the fathom are both defined against the meter, so dividing one definition by the other gives 0.5 directly. Both definitions are set out in full below.
To go the other way, divide by 0.5 — or use the Fathoms to Yards converter, which is the same calculation reversed.
Worked example
Start with 5 yd. Multiply by 0.5 to get 2.5 ftm.
5 yd × 0.5 = 2.5 ftm
The converter above does this for any value you type, in either direction.
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.
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.
Yards vs Fathoms
The yard is an imperial unit while the fathom is a specialized 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 fathoms are in a yard?
One yard equals 0.5 fathoms.
What is the formula to convert yards to fathoms?
Multiply the number of yards by 0.5. To reverse it, divide by 0.5 instead.
How do I convert fathoms back to yards?
Divide by 0.5, which is the same as multiplying by 2.
How many fathoms are in 10 yards?
10 yd works out to 5 ftm.
How is the yard defined?
Exactly 0.9144 meter since the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, which harmonized the US and Commonwealth definitions.