Furlong Conversion Tool - Convert Furlongs to Any Unit
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Furlong Conversion Table
This comprehensive furlong conversion table shows how various units relate to furlongs. Use this reference for quick conversions between furlongs and other common length units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Furlongs to meters | Meters | 201.168 |
| Furlongs to kilometers | Kilometers | 0.201168 |
| Furlongs to centimeters | Centimeters | 20116.8 |
| Furlongs to millimeters | Millimeters | 201168 |
| Furlongs to micrometers | Micrometers | 201168000 |
| Furlongs to nanometers | Nanometers | 201168000000 |
| Furlongs to picometers | Picometers | 2.01168e+14 |
| Furlongs to angstroms | Angstroms | 2.01168e+12 |
| Furlongs to inches | Inches | 7920 |
| Furlongs to feet | Feet | 660 |
| Furlongs to yards | Yards | 220 |
| Furlongs to miles | Miles | 0.125 |
| Furlongs to nautical miles | Nautical Miles | 0.108622 |
| Furlongs to fathoms | Fathoms | 110 |
| Furlongs to rods | Rods | 40 |
| Furlongs to chains | Chains | 10 |
| Furlongs to leagues | Leagues | 0.0416667 |
| Furlongs to astronomical units | Astronomical Units | 1.34441e-9 |
| Furlongs to light-years | Light-years | 2.12635e-14 |
| Furlongs to parsecs | Parsecs | 6.53383e-15 |
| Furlongs to planck lengths | Planck Lengths | 1.24643e+37 |
This furlong conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both metric (SI) units and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in surveying and mapping applications.
What is a Furlong?
A furlong is a unit of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile, 220 yards, 660 feet, or exactly 201.168 meters. Historically used in England for measuring agricultural land, the furlong was originally defined as the length of a furrow in one acre of a plowed open field. Today, furlongs are primarily used in horse racing in countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Ireland. Our furlong conversion tool helps you easily convert between furlongs and other units. For example, 1 furlong equals exactly 201.168 meters or 0.125 miles.
What is the SI of Furlong?
The furlong is not an SI unit but is accepted for use with the SI. The meter is the SI base unit for length, and all conversions involving furlongs are derived from the meter. In the metric system, 1 furlong equals exactly 201.168 meters. For surveying and mapping distance conversions, this precise relationship ensures accurate measurements:
- Kilometer (km) = 0.201168 furlongs
- Meter (m) = 201.168 furlongs
- Centimeter (cm) = 20,116.8 furlongs
- Millimeter (mm) = 201,168 furlongs
- Micrometer (µm) = 201,168,000 furlongs
What are Furlongs Used For?
Furlongs are used in a limited range of applications, primarily in horse racing and historical contexts. As part of the imperial system, furlongs provide a traditional measurement unit for surveying and mapping distances:
Horse Racing
Race distances are traditionally measured in furlongs, especially for shorter races. For example, a standard thoroughbred race in the United States is often 6 furlongs (0.75 miles or 1,207 meters).
Historical Land Surveying
In some older property deeds and historical documents, land measurements may be expressed in furlongs. Understanding these units is essential for interpreting historical records.
Railway Industry
Historically, railway distances in the UK were measured in miles and furlongs. Some modern railway documentation may still reference these units.
Agriculture
In countries with historical ties to the British Empire, some agricultural measurements may reference furlongs, especially in older documentation.
Etymology and History
The word "furlong" comes from Old English "furh" (furrow) and "lang" (long), literally meaning "the length of a furrow." In medieval England, a furlong was defined as the length of a furrow in one acre of a plowed open field, which was typically 220 yards long. This measurement was standardized in 1270 during the reign of Edward I. The furlong became part of the imperial system and was later precisely defined in terms of the meter when the international yard was standardized in 1959. This definition fixed the furlong at exactly 201.168 meters, linking it to the surveying and mapping distance standards used today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the furlong used in horse racing?
The furlong became the standard unit for measuring horse race distances due to its historical use in England. British colonizers brought this tradition to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it remains the conventional unit for race distances, especially for shorter races. A furlong provides a convenient scale for describing typical race distances, with races often measured in quarter-mile increments (2 furlongs) up to several miles.
How accurate is the furlong definition?
The modern definition of the furlong is extremely precise, exactly 201.168 meters. This definition was established when the international yard was standardized in 1959, linking imperial units to the metric system. The accuracy of furlong conversions depends on the precision of the conversion to meters, making it consistent with international standards for surveying and mapping distance measurements.
What's the difference between a furlong and a mile?
A mile is exactly 8 times longer than a furlong. One mile equals 1,609.344 meters, while one furlong equals 201.168 meters. This relationship makes conversions between these units straightforward: to convert furlongs to miles, divide by 8; to convert miles to furlongs, multiply by 8. For example, a 5-mile race equals 40 furlongs.
How do I convert furlongs to other units?
Use our furlong conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert furlongs to meters, multiply by 201.168; to convert furlongs to miles, divide by 8. For detailed instructions on converting furlongs to meters, visit our furlong to meter converter. Our tool also handles conversions to imperial units like feet and yards with high precision.
What are common uses for furlong conversion?
Furlong conversion is essential in horse racing (calculating race distances), historical research (interpreting old documents), land surveying (converting older property measurements), and education (understanding imperial units). Whether planning a horse race or studying historical land records, our furlong converter tool simplifies these specialized tasks.
How does furlong conversion differ from other length units?
Unlike SI units which are based on powers of ten, the furlong is part of the imperial system with unique conversion factors. One furlong equals exactly 220 yards or 660 feet, which doesn't follow the decimal system. This makes furlong conversion more complex than metric conversions but maintains historical significance in specific applications like surveying and mapping distances.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in furlongs?
Yes, our furlong converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For microscopic work, convert nanometers to furlongs (1 nm = 4.97097e-12 furlongs). For large distances, convert furlongs to light-years (1 ly ≈ 4.703e+13 furlongs). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your furlong conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our furlong conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning imperial units to professionals working on specialized applications.