# Imperial Length Calculator URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/conversion/imperial-length-converter/ Last updated: 2026-10-25 > The imperial length calculator converts length between inches, yards, miles, furlongs, chains, rods and more. Choose any “from” and “to” unit, type a number into any field and every other unit updates instantly; all conversion factors are exact definitions. ## Inputs - From (ft, m, km, cm, mm, dm, µm, nm, Å, in, yd, mi, nmi, mil, furlong, chain, rod, fathom, hand, league, AU, ly, pc, R☉, px (96 dpi), pt, gaj) ## Results - To - Yards - Miles - Furlongs - Chains - Rods - Fathoms ## Formula ``` 1 ft = 12 in 1 ft = 0.33333333 yd 1 ft = 0.00018939394 mi 1 ft = 0.0015151515 furlong 1 ft = 0.015151515 chain ``` ## Explanation Imperial and U.S. customary lengths are built on the foot: 12 inches to a foot, 3 feet to a yard, 22 yards to a chain, 10 chains to a furlong and 8 furlongs to a mile. Since 1959 they are all defined exactly in metres. ### How to use the Imperial Length Calculator - Pick the unit you are starting from in the **From** menu and type your value. - Pick the unit you want in the **To** menu. The heading changes to match – for example “Feet to Inches Converter”. - The most common length units are shown below at the same time, so you can compare them at a glance. - Type into any result to convert backwards, then use **Copy results** – the copied text starts with the heading for your chosen units. Results update as you type. Everything is calculated in your browser. ### How it works Every length unit is defined by an exact factor relative to the metre (the base unit). The calculator first turns the value you type into metres, then turns that into the unit you picked in the “To” menu and into each of the common units below it. This two-step method means any unit can be converted to any other – 27 units are available in each menu – and you can type into any field, including a result, to work in the other direction. Changing a unit menu keeps the quantity the same and just re-expresses it, and the page heading and copied results follow your choice. ### How to convert length units - Choose the unit you have in the **From** menu and type the value, for example **1 ft**. - Choose the unit you want in the **To** menu, for example inches. The page heading changes to “Feet to Inches Converter”. - The calculator multiplies by the metre factor of the “from” unit and divides by the factor of the “to” unit: 1 ft × 0.3048 ÷ 0.0254 = **12 in**. ### 1 foot in common units UnitValueInches (in)12Yards (yd)0.33333333Miles (mi)0.00018939394Furlongs (furlong)0.0015151515Chains (chain)0.015151515Rods (rod)0.060606061Fathoms (fathom)0.16666667Hands (hand)3 ### Feet conversion table Feetinydmifurlong1120.333333330.000189393940.001515151533610.000568181820.0045454545101203.33333330.00189393940.01515151566792220.01250.16607,9202200.12515,28063,3601,76018 ### What is a foot? The international foot is exactly 0.3048 m and contains 12 inches. It remains the everyday unit for height, room dimensions and altitude in the U.S., and for aviation altitude worldwide. ### What is an inch? The inch has been defined as exactly 25.4 mm since 1959. It is used in the U.S. for almost everything and worldwide for screen sizes, wheel and tyre sizes, pipe threads and many tools. ### What is a yard? The yard is 3 feet (36 inches), exactly 0.9144 m. It is used for fabric, American and Canadian football fields, golf distances and, as the gaj, for land in South Asia. ### Common mistakes to avoid Mixing the international foot (0.3048 m) with the old u.s. survey foot, confusing nautical and statute miles, and writing decimal feet such as 5.5 ft as “5 ft 5 in” (it is 5 ft 6 in). ## Worked example Inputs — From: 1 ft. Results — **To = 12 in**; Yards = 0.33333333 yd; Miles = 0.00018939 mi; Furlongs = 0.00151515 furlong; Chains = 0.01515152 chain; Rods = 0.06060606 rod; Fathoms = 0.16666667 fathom. ## FAQ **How many yards in a chain?** 22 (the length of a cricket pitch). **How many feet in a fathom?** 6. **How many inches in a hand?** 4, used to measure horses. **How do I change the units?** Pick any unit in the From and To menus. The value is converted in place, and the heading changes to show your conversion, for example “Feet to Inches Converter”. **Can I type into any field?** Yes. Every field is editable, so you can start from whichever unit you have. **How many units can I convert between?** 27 length units, from the everyday to the specialised. **Which units are exact?** All factors here are exact by definition except astronomical and similar reference values, which use internationally agreed constants. **What formula does the Imperial Length Calculator use?** 1 ft = 12 in. ## Sources - [NIST Special Publication 811 – Guide for the Use of the International System of Units](https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811) - [NIST Handbook 44 Appendix C – General tables of units of measurement](https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/nist-handbook-44-current-edition)