Furlong to Klafter Converter
Convert furlongs to klafter with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Furlong = 106.073293 klafter
Formula: Furlong × conversion factor = Klafter
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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Furlong to Klafter Calculator
How to Use the Furlong to Klafter Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Furlong).
- The converted value in Klafter will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Furlong to Klafter: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Furlong to Klafter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Furlong = 106.0733 klafterExample Calculation:
Convert 10 furlongs: 10 × 106.0733 = 1060.733 klafter
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
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View all Length conversions →What is a Furlong and a Klafter?
The Eighth of a Mile
The furlong is defined as exactly 1/8 of a statute mile.
Precise equivalents:
- 220 yards (1/8 × 1,760 yards)
- 660 feet (220 yards × 3 feet/yard)
- 40 rods (traditional surveying unit; 1 rod = 16.5 feet)
- 10 chains (1 chain = 66 feet = 4 rods)
- 201.168 meters (exactly, using 1 yard = 0.9144 m)
Old English Etymology
"Furlang" = "furrow-long"
- Furh (Old English) = furrow (a trench cut by a plow)
- Lang (Old English) = long
Agricultural origin: In medieval open-field farming, peasants plowed long, narrow strips. The furlong represented the standard length of these strips—the distance a team of oxen could pull a heavy plow before needing to rest and turn around.
Why this specific distance?
- Oxen stamina: Approximately 220 yards before fatigue
- Practical turn-around: Long enough to be efficient, short enough to manage
- Acre relationship: 1 furlong × 1 chain (66 ft) = 1 acre (historical definition)
The Chain-Furlong-Mile System
Edmund Gunter's surveyor's chain (1620):
- 1 chain = 66 feet = 4 rods = 100 links
- 10 chains = 1 furlong
- 80 chains = 1 mile
Why 66 feet? Gunter designed the chain so that:
- 10 square chains = 1 acre (exactly)
- Easy conversion between area and distance
- Practical length for field surveying (two surveyors could carry it)
This system dominated English-speaking land surveys for 300+ years.
The Klafter is a historical unit of length originating from Central Europe, particularly prominent in German-speaking regions like Austria, Bavaria, Prussia, and Switzerland. It is conceptually similar to the fathom, often defined by the span of a person's outstretched arms.
While its exact length varied significantly by region and time, a widely recognized standard, especially from the Austrian Empire, defines the Klafter as 6 Vienna feet (Wiener Fuß). This equates to approximately:
- 1.8965 meters (m)
- 6.222 feet (ft) (using the Vienna foot of ~0.31608 m)
The Klafter was also used as a unit of area (Quadratklafter or square Klafter) and volume (Kubikklafter or cubic Klafter), especially for measuring firewood (often called a Raummeter or Ster in this context, though volumes could vary). This page focuses on the linear Klafter.
Note: The Furlong is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Klafter belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Furlong and Klafter
Anglo-Saxon Origins (5th-11th Centuries)
Open-field strip farming: Medieval English villages practiced communal agriculture, with fields divided into long, narrow strips assigned to different families.
Strip dimensions:
- Length: 1 furlong (~220 yards)
- Width: 1 chain (~22 yards, later standardized to 1 chain = 66 feet / 4 rods)
- Area: Approximately 1 acre
Plowing practice: Farmers plowed the length of the strip (1 furlong), then turned the ox team at the headland (the unplowed area at each end). The furlong emerged as the natural unit for this plowing distance.
Norman and Plantagenet Standardization (11th-14th Centuries)
Domesday Book (1086): William the Conqueror's land survey used furlongs and acres to catalog English landholdings, cementing these units in law.
Statute of 1305 (Edward I): Formalized the furlong as:
- 40 rods (1 rod = 16.5 feet = 5.5 yards)
- 1/8 mile
- Standard for all land measurement in England
Acre definition: Legally defined as 1 furlong × 4 rods (1 furlong × 66 feet), creating the enduring acre-furlong relationship.
Edmund Gunter and the Surveyor's Chain (1620)
Revolutionary tool: English mathematician Edmund Gunter invented the surveyor's chain, a 66-foot measuring chain with 100 links.
Advantages:
- Durability: Metal chain resisted wear better than ropes
- Accuracy: Standardized links prevented stretching errors
- Calculation ease: 100 links made decimal-like subdivision simple
- Furlong integration: 10 chains = 1 furlong (exact)
Global spread: Gunter's chain became the standard surveying tool throughout the British Empire, spreading the furlong to:
- North America (colonial land surveys)
- Australia (1788 onwards)
- India (British Raj)
- Africa (colonial territories)
Horse Racing Adoption (18th Century)
The Jockey Club (founded 1750): British horse racing's governing body standardized race distances in furlongs and miles.
Common race distances established:
- 5 furlongs: Sprint races
- 1 mile (8 furlongs): Classic middle distance
- 1.5 miles (12 furlongs): St. Leger Stakes (established 1776)
- 2.5 miles (20 furlongs): Royal Ascot Gold Cup
Why furlongs?
- Traditional British measurement
- Convenient divisions of the mile
- Allowed precise race distance specifications
- Established in racecourse infrastructure (distance poles)
American Horse Racing (19th Century)
Kentucky Derby (1875): Established at 1.5 miles (12 furlongs), later shortened to 1.25 miles (10 furlongs) in 1896. The furlong became America's standard racing measurement.
Belmont Stakes (1867): Originally 1.625 miles, standardized to 1.5 miles (12 furlongs)—the "Test of the Champion."
Preakness Stakes (1873): Run at 9.5 furlongs (1.1875 miles).
All three Triple Crown races use furlong-based distances.
Metrication and Decline (20th Century)
UK Weights and Measures Act (1985): Officially transitioned Britain to metric system for most purposes. The furlong became obsolete for:
- Road distances (now kilometers)
- Land surveying (now meters)
- General measurement (meters standard)
Exception: Horse racing Racing authorities worldwide retained furlongs, grandfathered as a traditional sporting measure.
Modern Persistence (21st Century)
Countries still using furlongs in horse racing:
- United Kingdom: All thoroughbred racing
- Ireland: All thoroughbred racing
- United States: All thoroughbred and quarter horse racing
- Canada: Thoroughbred racing
- Australia: Some racing uses furlongs alongside meters
- Myanmar (Burma): Road signs and general distance measurement
Global standard: Despite metrication, international horse racing maintains furlong terminology for consistency with historical records and tradition.
The term "Klafter" likely derives from Old High German klāftra, related to the act of embracing or grasping, reflecting its origin as an anthropometric unit based on arm span.
- Regional Variations: Before widespread standardization and metrication, the length of the Klafter differed across various German states and Swiss cantons. For example, the Prussian Klafter was slightly different from the Austrian one.
- Standardization Efforts: Attempts were made to standardize measures, with the Austrian system (based on the Wiener Fuß) becoming influential. The definition of 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (feet) = 72 Zoll (inches) was common, but the length of the Fuß itself varied.
- Dual Use (Length & Volume): The Klafter was notably used for measuring stacked firewood. A Klafter Holz typically referred to a stack of wood 1 Klafter high, 1 Klafter wide, and a specific log length (often 3 or 4 feet), representing a volume unit.
- Metrication: The Klafter became obsolete following the adoption of the metric system across Central Europe, primarily during the latter half of the 19th century (e.g., Germany 1872, Austria 1876).
Common Uses and Applications: furlongs vs klafter
Explore the typical applications for both Furlong (imperial/US) and Klafter (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for furlongs
1. Thoroughbred Horse Racing
Race distance specification: Nearly all English-language racing nations specify race lengths in furlongs.
Examples:
- "A 6-furlong sprint on turf"
- "The colt won at distances from 8 to 12 furlongs"
- "She specializes in 5-furlong races"
Racecourse markers: Distance poles along the track show remaining furlongs to the finish (e.g., "4F" pole = 4 furlongs to go).
2. Breeding and Training
Horse pedigrees: Thoroughbred bloodlines are analyzed by optimal racing distances measured in furlongs.
Example: "This stallion's progeny excel at 8-10 furlongs, inheriting his stamina."
Training distances: Trainers describe workout distances in furlongs: "We gave him a strong 6-furlong breeze this morning."
3. Myanmar (Burma)
Road distances: Myanmar road signs often show distances in furlongs and miles rather than kilometers.
Example: "Yangon 12 furlongs" (1.5 miles ahead)
Why? British colonial legacy; Myanmar has resisted full metrication.
4. Historical Documents
Land deeds: Property descriptions in English-speaking countries often reference furlongs:
"Beginning at the oak tree, thence north 3 furlongs, thence east 2 furlongs..."
Literary references: Classic literature mentions furlongs for travel distances.
When to Use klafter
Historically, the Klafter served various measurement needs:
- Forestry: Measuring timber lengths and, crucially, the volume of stacked firewood.
- Mining: Measuring the depth of shafts and the length of tunnels.
- Construction: Measuring building dimensions, rope lengths, and materials.
- Surveying: Measuring land distances and areas (Quadratklafter), although units like the Ruthe (rod) were also common for land.
- Nautical: Sometimes used similarly to a fathom for measuring water depth or rope lengths, though less common than the English fathom in maritime contexts.
Today, its use is confined to historical records, architectural studies, forestry history, and understanding old land deeds or documents.
Additional Unit Information
About Furlong (fur)
How many furlongs are in a mile?
Exactly 8 furlongs = 1 statute mile.
This is the defining relationship:
- 1 furlong = 1/8 mile = 0.125 miles
- 1 mile = 8 furlongs = 1,760 yards = 5,280 feet
How many yards/feet/meters are in a furlong?
1 furlong equals:
- 220 yards (exactly)
- 660 feet (220 × 3)
- 201.168 meters (exactly, using international yard definition)
Derivation: 1 mile = 1,760 yards 1/8 mile = 1,760 ÷ 8 = 220 yards
Where is the furlong used most often today?
Primary use: Horse racing
Countries:
- United Kingdom: All thoroughbred flat and jump racing
- Ireland: All racing
- United States: Thoroughbred and quarter horse racing standard
- Canada: Thoroughbred racing
- Australia: Some racing (alongside meters)
Secondary use:
- Myanmar (Burma): Road distances, general measurement
Historical references:
- Land deeds and property surveys (historical documents)
- Classic literature
Is the furlong an SI unit?
No, the furlong is not part of the International System of Units (SI).
It belongs to the imperial and U.S. customary measurement systems. The SI unit for length is the meter.
Legal status:
- UK: Permitted for specific uses (horse racing, historical contexts)
- US: Legal, but not commonly used outside racing
- Myanmar: Customary unit
Why is it called a furlong?
Etymology: Old English "furlang" = "furrow-long"
Origin:
- Furh = furrow (trench cut by plow)
- Lang = long
Agricultural meaning: The distance a team of oxen could plow a furrow before needing to rest—approximately 220 yards.
Historical context: Medieval open-field strip farming created long, narrow fields. The furlong defined the standard strip length, while the chain (66 feet) defined the width, producing a 1-acre plot.
Why does horse racing still use furlongs?
Historical tradition: British horse racing standardized on furlongs in the 18th century (Jockey Club, 1750). Racing infrastructure, records, and terminology built around furlongs over 270+ years.
Practical advantages:
- Convenient divisions: 1 mile divides evenly into 8 furlongs, creating simple race distances (5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 furlongs)
- Global consistency: Using furlongs allows comparison across centuries of racing records
- Infrastructure: Historic racecourses designed with furlong markers and measurements
Resistance to change: Metrication efforts in the 1970s-1990s met strong resistance from racing traditionalists. The sport successfully lobbied to preserve furlongs as a cultural heritage measure.
How long is the Kentucky Derby in furlongs?
10 furlongs = 1.25 miles = 2,012 meters
History:
- 1875-1895: 1.5 miles (12 furlongs)
- 1896-present: 1.25 miles (10 furlongs)
The distance was shortened to 10 furlongs in 1896 and has remained unchanged since, becoming known as "The most exciting two minutes in sports" (approximate finishing time for winners).
What's the difference between a furlong and a chain?
Both are imperial length units, but different sizes:
Furlong:
- 220 yards = 660 feet = 201.168 m
- Used for longer distances (racing, field lengths)
Chain (Gunter's chain):
- 66 feet = 22 yards = 20.1168 m
- 1 furlong = 10 chains
- Used for detailed land surveying
Historical relationship: Edmund Gunter designed the chain so that 10 chains = 1 furlong, creating an integrated surveying system.
Can I convert racecourse distances from furlongs to meters?
Yes, multiply by 201.168.
Common conversions:
- 5 furlongs × 201.168 = 1,006 m (~1 km)
- 6 furlongs × 201.168 = 1,207 m
- 8 furlongs × 201.168 = 1,609 m (~1 mile)
- 10 furlongs × 201.168 = 2,012 m
- 12 furlongs × 201.168 = 2,414 m
Note: Many international racing jurisdictions use round meter distances (1200m, 1600m, 2000m) rather than exact furlong equivalents.
Is a furlong longer than a kilometer?
No, a furlong is shorter than a kilometer.
Comparison:
- 1 furlong = 201.168 meters = 0.201 km
- 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters ≈ 4.97 furlongs (~5 furlongs)
Memory aid: 5 furlongs ≈ 1 kilometer
About Klafter (klafter)
How long is a Klafter?
The length varied, but the most common standard, based on the Austrian system, is:
- Exactly 6 Vienna Feet (Wiener Fuß)
- Approximately 1.8965 meters
- Approximately 6.222 feet
Other historical values might range roughly from 1.7 to 1.95 meters depending on the specific regional "foot" standard used.
Is a Klafter the same as a fathom?
Conceptually, they are very similar, both derived from the span of outstretched arms. Numerically, they are close but distinct.
- Klafter (Austrian): ~1.8965 meters / ~6.222 feet
- Fathom (International): Exactly 1.8288 meters / 6 feet
So, the common Austrian Klafter was slightly longer than the standard fathom.
What were the main related units in the Austrian system?
The Klafter was part of a system:
- 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (Vienna Foot or Wiener Schuh)
- 1 Fuß = 12 Zoll (Vienna Inch or Wiener Zoll)
- 1 Zoll ≈ 2.634 cm / 1.037 inches
- 1 Fuß ≈ 31.608 cm / 12.444 inches / 1.037 feet
Where was the Klafter primarily used?
It was used across Central Europe, notably in:
- Austria-Hungary
- Southern German states (Bavaria, Württemberg)
- Prussia (with a slightly different length)
- Switzerland
- Other parts of the Holy Roman Empire and subsequent German Confederation.
Is the Klafter still used today?
No, the Klafter is obsolete for practical measurements. It was replaced by the meter during metrication in the 19th century. Its relevance is purely historical.
How does a Klafter compare to a meter or foot?
- A Klafter (~1.9 m) is almost twice as long as a meter. (1 Klafter ≈ 1.9 m)
- A Klafter (~6.2 ft) is significantly longer than a standard foot. (1 Klafter ≈ 6.2 ft)
Is the Klafter an SI unit?
No, the Klafter is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from historical Central European measurement systems. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Conversion Table: Furlong to Klafter
| Furlong (fur) | Klafter (klafter) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 53.037 |
| 1 | 106.073 |
| 1.5 | 159.11 |
| 2 | 212.147 |
| 5 | 530.367 |
| 10 | 1,060.733 |
| 25 | 2,651.832 |
| 50 | 5,303.665 |
| 100 | 10,607.329 |
| 250 | 26,518.323 |
| 500 | 53,036.647 |
| 1,000 | 106,073.293 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Furlong to Klafter?
To convert Furlong to Klafter, enter the value in Furlong in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our length converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Furlong to Klafter?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Furlong and Klafter. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Klafter back to Furlong?
Yes! You can easily convert Klafter back to Furlong by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Klafter to Furlong converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Furlong and Klafter?
Furlong and Klafter are both standard units used in length measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our length converter for more conversion options.
For more length conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
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All Length Conversions
Other Length Units and Conversions
Explore other length units and their conversion options:
- Meter (m) • Furlong to Meter
- Kilometer (km) • Furlong to Kilometer
- Hectometer (hm) • Furlong to Hectometer
- Decimeter (dm) • Furlong to Decimeter
- Centimeter (cm) • Furlong to Centimeter
- Millimeter (mm) • Furlong to Millimeter
- Inch (in) • Furlong to Inch
- Foot (ft) • Furlong to Foot
- Yard (yd) • Furlong to Yard
- Mile (mi) • Furlong to Mile
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Official US standards for length measurements
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units official documentation
Last verified: February 19, 2026