What is a fathom (US survey)?

The US survey fathom is a non-SI unit of length equal to exactly 6 US survey feet, used mainly for measuring water depths and line lengths in nautical contexts.

What is an arpent used for?

An arpent is a historical French unit of length commonly used to measure land, especially for parcel dimensions and frontage lengths in regions like Quebec and Louisiana.

Why convert fathoms to arpents?

Converting fathoms to arpents helps interpret and reconcile historical nautical measurements with land surveying units used in French colonial territories, supporting accurate analysis of legacy data.

How to Convert from Fathom (US survey) to Arpent

Convert length measurements from the US survey fathom, a nautical unit, to the historical French arpent used in land surveying, with clear examples and guidance.

Fathom (US survey) [fath]

Arpent

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Fathom (US survey) [fath] to Arpent Conversion Table

Fathom (US survey) [fath]	Arpent

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Fathom (US survey) [fath] to Arpent Conversion Table
Fathom (US survey) [fath]	Arpent

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What Is This Tool?

This tool allows you to convert length measurements from the US survey fathom, a unit mainly used in nautical and hydrographic contexts, into the arpent, a historical French unit employed primarily for land measurement and cadastral purposes.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in fathoms (US survey) in the input field
Select 'fathom (US survey)' as the original unit
Choose 'arpent' as the target unit for conversion
Click the convert button to see the result in arpents
Refer to example calculations for guidance if needed

Key Features

Converts between US survey fathoms and arpents for historical and surveying contexts
Supports legacy hydrographic and land survey data reconciliation
Provides clear example calculations
Easy-to-use browser-based interface
Suitable for historians, archivists, and surveyors

Examples

10 fathoms (US survey) = 0.312500625 arpents
50 fathoms (US survey) = 1.562503125 arpents

Common Use Cases

Recording and interpreting water depths and sounding lengths in legacy nautical surveys
Converting anchor cable and mooring line lengths for maritime operations
Reconciling historical land dimensions from French colonial cadastral maps
Analyzing colonial-era lot frontages along rivers in Quebec and Louisiana
Supporting legal and surveying tasks involving old land and hydrographic data

Tips & Best Practices

Verify the specific regional definition of arpent when using for historical land records
Note slight differences between US survey fathom and international fathom when comparing data
Use this tool primarily for historical data interpretation rather than modern measurements

Limitations

Arpent length varies by region and historical period, which can cause small discrepancies
US survey fathom is slightly different from the international fathom, affecting precision
Mostly suited for historical and archival work, not for current practical length measurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fathom (US survey)?: The US survey fathom is a non-SI unit of length equal to exactly 6 US survey feet, used mainly for measuring water depths and line lengths in nautical contexts.
What is an arpent used for?: An arpent is a historical French unit of length commonly used to measure land, especially for parcel dimensions and frontage lengths in regions like Quebec and Louisiana.
Why convert fathoms to arpents?: Converting fathoms to arpents helps interpret and reconcile historical nautical measurements with land surveying units used in French colonial territories, supporting accurate analysis of legacy data.

Key Terminology

Fathom (US survey): A non-SI length unit equal to 6 US survey feet, used mainly for measuring water depths and line lengths in nautical contexts.
Arpent: A historical French length unit used for land measurement and cadastral purposes, varying by region and period.
Legacy Hydrographic Surveys: Historical nautical surveys used to measure water depths and seabed features.

Quick Knowledge Check

What measurement does the US survey fathom primarily represent?

Land parcel dimensions

Water depths and nautical line lengths

Distances on historical cadastral maps

Which region primarily used the arpent unit historically?

Quebec and Louisiana

International maritime navigation

Modern urban planning

What is a key limitation when converting between fathoms and arpents?

Both units have fixed lengths worldwide

Regional and historical variations affect accuracy

Conversion formulas are not standardized

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