What is a rod (US survey)?

A rod (US survey), also known as a pole or perch, is a traditional surveying unit equal to exactly 16.5 US survey feet, used mainly in land measurement and property descriptions.

Why convert rods to feet?

Converting rods to feet helps translate historical survey measurements into the widely used foot unit for easier application in modern construction, engineering, and legal land use.

Are there differences between US survey foot and international foot?

Yes, the US survey foot is slightly different from the international foot, so it's important to be aware of which is being used to ensure accurate conversions.

How to Convert from Rod (US survey) [rd] to Foot [ft]?

Learn how to easily convert length measurements from rod (US survey) to foot using this straightforward unit converter. Understand the usage, features, and applications of both units in surveying and construction.

Rod (US survey) [rd]

Foot [ft]

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

Rod (US survey) [rd] to Foot [ft] Conversion Table

Rod (US survey) [rd]	Foot [ft]

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.

Rod (US survey) [rd] to Foot [ft] Conversion Table
Rod (US survey) [rd]	Foot [ft]

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What Is This Tool?

This converter transforms length measurements from the rod (US survey) unit — a traditional surveying measure — to the foot, commonly used in everyday, engineering, and architectural contexts. It helps users interpret historical land records and apply them in modern measurements.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value measured in rod (US survey) into the input field
Select rod (US survey) as the source unit and foot as the target unit
Click the convert button to calculate the equivalent length in feet
Review the result displayed and use it for your relevant applications

Key Features

Converts length values from rod (US survey) to foot using exact conversion factors
Supports interpretation of legacy survey data for modern use
User-friendly, browser-based interface for quick calculation
Displays examples to demonstrate conversions
Provides definitions and use cases for each unit to clarify context

Examples

2 rods (US survey) equals approximately 33.000066 feet
0.5 rod (US survey) converts to about 8.2500165 feet

Common Use Cases

Interpreting distances from historical US land documents and surveys
Surveying and delineating property boundaries based on older records
Converting old map measurements to modern units for engineering use
Translating legacy survey data for construction and architectural projects

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure clarity on whether the measurement is the US survey foot or international foot
Use the conversion primarily for legacy or historical data interpretation
Cross-verify particularly sensitive land measurements due to small rounding differences
Keep unit definitions in mind when comparing with non-US survey rods or poles

Limitations

Rod (US survey) is largely a legacy unit, less common in modern measurement systems
Potential small rounding errors occur because of the specific US survey foot definition
Confusion may arise if international rods or poles are mistaken for the US survey rod
Accurate conversions depend on consistent unit standards between rod and foot

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rod (US survey)?: A rod (US survey), also known as a pole or perch, is a traditional surveying unit equal to exactly 16.5 US survey feet, used mainly in land measurement and property descriptions.
Why convert rods to feet?: Converting rods to feet helps translate historical survey measurements into the widely used foot unit for easier application in modern construction, engineering, and legal land use.
Are there differences between US survey foot and international foot?: Yes, the US survey foot is slightly different from the international foot, so it's important to be aware of which is being used to ensure accurate conversions.

Key Terminology

Rod (US survey): A traditional unit of length used in US surveying, equal to exactly 16.5 US survey feet.
Foot (ft): A unit of length in imperial and U.S. customary systems, defined exactly as 0.3048 metres, commonly used for everyday and engineering measurements.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is one rod (US survey) equal to in feet?

About 12 feet

Exactly 16.5 feet

Approximately 20 feet

Which field commonly uses the rod (US survey) unit?

Cooking measurements

Land surveying

Computer storage

Why is it important to distinguish between US survey foot and international foot?

Because they have identical lengths

Because their exact values differ, affecting precision

Because one is metric and the other imperial

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