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Fathom (US Survey)


The fathom (US survey) is a unit of length used in U.S. surveying and nautical contexts, defined as exactly 6 US survey feet. Since one US survey foot is approximately 0.3048006096 meters, the US survey fathom measures about 1.828804 meters.


Like the international fathom, it is primarily used to measure water depths and underwater distances in marine navigation and surveying.


Key details:



  • 1 US survey fathom = 6 US survey feet



  • 1 US survey fathom ≈ 1.828804 meters



  • 1 fathom = 2 yards



Though the difference between the US survey fathom and the international fathom is very small, the US survey units are being phased out in favor of international standards, but they still appear in some legal and historical surveying documents.



Handbreadth


A handbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of a human hand, typically measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended. It was commonly used in ancient and medieval times for everyday measurements.



  • The handbreadth is generally about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters), though the exact length could vary by culture and era.



  • It served as a practical, easy-to-use measure in tailoring, construction, and daily life before standardized units were established.



  • The handbreadth is one of several body-based units, like the span and palm, reflecting how humans used their own bodies for measuring.



Summary:



  • About 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)



  • Based on the width of an extended hand



  • Used historically in various cultures



  • Practical for informal, everyday measurement



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