Furlong (US Survey)
The furlong (US survey) is a traditional unit of distance used in U.S. land surveying, defined as 1/8 of a U.S. survey mile, or exactly 660 U.S. survey feet. Since one U.S. survey foot equals approximately 0.3048006096 meters, the US survey furlong is about 201.1684 meters long.
While the difference between the US survey furlong and the international (standard) furlong is extremely small (just a few micrometers), it was significant in precise land measurements, particularly in legal and cadastral surveying contexts.
Key Conversions:
1 US survey furlong = 660 US survey feet
1 US survey furlong ≈ 220 yards
1 US survey furlong ≈ 201.1684 meters
8 US survey furlongs = 1 US survey mile
As of 2023, the U.S. has officially deprecated the use of the survey foot (and by extension the survey furlong) in favor of the international foot, but it may still appear in historical and legal documents.
the Reed as a Unit of Measurement
The reed is an ancient unit of length that has historical significance in various cultures, especially in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Typically, one reed is equal to 3 cubits, which translates to approximately 1.5 meters or 5 feet in modern measurements. The reed was often used in surveying land, measuring building materials, or determining distances in early architectural and agricultural planning. In ancient Babylon, the reed was part of a well-organized system of measurements that helped support large-scale construction and irrigation projects. Similarly, in Biblical texts, the reed is mentioned as a standard tool for measuring sacred structures like temples. Despite its historical importance, the reed has fallen out of use in the modern metric and imperial systems. However, it remains a fascinating example of how early civilizations developed practical ways to standardize measurement for daily and ceremonial life. Understanding such units gives us insight into the technological and social sophistication of ancient societies. Although obsolete today, the reed is a reminder of humanity’s long-standing pursuit of order and precision in the physical world.
No conversions available for length.