What is a span (cloth)?

A span (cloth) is a traditional unit representing the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger of an outstretched hand, commonly used in textile contexts to describe small fabric widths.

What is a fathom (US survey)?

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

Why convert from span (cloth) to fathom (US survey)?

Conversions between these units help integrate or reconcile historical textile measurements with nautical data, particularly when working with legacy records in surveying and maritime industries.

How to Convert from Span (cloth) to Fathom (US survey) [fath]

Convert measurements from span (cloth), a traditional textile length unit, to the US survey fathom, a nautical length unit used in hydrographic contexts, using this easy-to-use online converter tool.

Span (cloth)

Fathom (US survey) [fath]

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Span (cloth) to Fathom (US survey) [fath] Conversion Table

Span (cloth)	Fathom (US survey) [fath]

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

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Interval

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Span (cloth) to Fathom (US survey) [fath] Conversion Table
Span (cloth)	Fathom (US survey) [fath]

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What Is This Tool?

This unit converter allows you to translate values from span (cloth), a historic textile measurement based on a hand span, into fathoms (US survey), a nautical length unit used for measuring depths and lines in maritime and hydrographic fields.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value measured in span (cloth).
Select span (cloth) as the input unit and fathom (US survey) as the output unit.
Click convert to get the equivalent value in US survey fathoms.

Key Features

Converts span (cloth) lengths, traditionally used in textiles, into US survey fathoms relevant to nautical measurements.
Supports legacy data integration between historical fabric dimensions and maritime or hydrographic length units.
Browser-based and straightforward to use, requiring no specialized software.

Examples

5 Span (cloth) equals approximately 0.625 Fathom (US survey).
10 Span (cloth) converts to about 1.25 Fathom (US survey).

Common Use Cases

Translating fabric width measurements from historical textile documentation into nautical length units.
Reconciling tailor or craft-related units with maritime survey data involving US survey fathoms.
Converting legacy survey information for compatibility between textile records and hydrographic charts.

Tips & Best Practices

Verify which fathom standard (US survey vs international) is required for your application to ensure accuracy.
Use this conversion primarily for historical or legacy data rather than modern standardized measurements.
Remember the span (cloth) measurement relies on approximations and individual variation, so treat results accordingly.

Limitations

Span (cloth) is an approximate, informal unit based on human hand size and can vary between individuals.
The US survey fathom differs slightly from the international fathom, which may affect precise conversions.
This conversion tool is best suited for legacy or historical data and may not apply to current standard length measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a span (cloth)?: A span (cloth) is a traditional unit representing the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger of an outstretched hand, commonly used in textile contexts to describe small fabric widths.
What is a fathom (US survey)?: The US survey fathom is a non-SI nautical length unit equal to 6 US survey feet, used mainly for measuring water depths and line lengths in hydrographic and maritime settings.
Why convert from span (cloth) to fathom (US survey)?: Conversions between these units help integrate or reconcile historical textile measurements with nautical data, particularly when working with legacy records in surveying and maritime industries.

Key Terminology

Span (cloth): A traditional non-SI length unit based on the outstretched hand span, used in textiles for small fabric width measurements.
Fathom (US survey): A non-SI nautical length unit used in the United States equaling 6 US survey feet, commonly for water depth and line length measurement.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does a span (cloth) traditionally measure?

A nautical depth unit

The distance between thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand

A modern standardized length

Which field commonly uses the US survey fathom?

Textile and tailoring

Nautical and hydrographic measurements

Astronomical distance calculation

What is a limitation of using the span (cloth) unit?

It is a precise, standardized measurement

It varies due to human hand size differences

It is based on an exact metric definition

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