Furlong to Li (Chinese) Converter
Convert furlongs to li with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Furlong = 0.402336 li
Formula: Furlong × conversion factor = Li (Chinese)
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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Furlong to Li (Chinese) Calculator
How to Use the Furlong to Li (Chinese) Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Furlong).
- The converted value in Li (Chinese) 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 Li (Chinese): Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Furlong to Li (Chinese) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Furlong = 0.402336 liExample Calculation:
Convert 10 furlongs: 10 × 0.402336 = 4.02336 li
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 Li (Chinese)?
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 Li (里) is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, often translated as the "Chinese mile". It represents a significantly longer distance than the Chi (Chinese foot) and was historically the primary unit for measuring travel distances and land divisions over large areas.
Traditionally, the Li was defined in relation to smaller units like the Bu (步 - pace) or the Zhang (丈), and ultimately the Chi (尺). Common historical relationships included:
- 1 Li = 300 or 360 Bu
- 1 Bu = 5 or 6 Chi
- Therefore, 1 Li could equal 1500 or 1800 Chi.
- Alternatively, 1 Li = 150 Zhang (since 1 Zhang = 10 Chi).
Like other traditional Chinese units, its exact length varied considerably across different dynasties and regions. The modern standardized value, adopted for convenience and integration with the metric system, defines the Li as exactly 500 meters (0.5 kilometers).
Note: The Furlong is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Li (Chinese) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Furlong and Li (Chinese)
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 Li has been a fundamental unit of distance in China for thousands of years, used since at least the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BC). Its length was not constant, often changing with administrative reforms or shifts in the standard length of the base unit, the Chi.
- Early Dynasties: The length fluctuated. For example, during the Han Dynasty, based on a Chi of ~23.1 cm and a definition of 1 Li = 300 Bu = 1800 Chi, the Li would have been approximately 415.8 meters. Other periods might have used different definitions or Chi lengths, leading to Li values ranging roughly from 300 to over 500 meters.
- Standardization Efforts: Various dynasties attempted to standardize measurements, but regional variations often persisted. The Li was crucial for imperial administration, defining tax districts, postal routes, and military logistics.
- 20th Century Standardization: Following the establishment of the Republic of China, efforts were made to align traditional units with the metric system. In 1929, alongside the standardization of the Chi as 1/3 meter, the Li was officially defined as 1500 Chi, which resulted in exactly 500 meters (0.5 kilometers). This standard was maintained by the People's Republic of China.
The Li's historical significance lies in its role as the standard measure for long distances, shaping perceptions of geography and travel within China and neighboring East Asian cultures influenced by the Chinese system.
Common Uses and Applications: furlongs vs li
Explore the typical applications for both Furlong (imperial/US) and Li (Chinese) (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 li
While officially replaced by the kilometer for most purposes, the Li retains significance:
- Historical Measurement: Essential for understanding distances mentioned in historical texts, maps, administrative records, travelogues, and descriptions of large-scale projects like the Great Wall or canal systems.
- Geographical Names: Many place names in China incorporate "Li" (e.g., 十里堡 - Shilibao, "Ten Li Fort"), often reflecting historical distances or significance, even if the modern distance doesn't match precisely.
- Cultural References: The Li features prominently in Chinese idioms, proverbs, literature, and poetry, often symbolizing long journeys or vast distances. A famous example is 千里之行，始於足下 (qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià - "A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step").
- Informal Usage: In some rural areas or among older generations, "Li" might still be used informally to refer to a distance of approximately half a kilometer. It can also be used colloquially as a direct synonym for 0.5 km.
- Mapping: Older maps and surveys frequently used the Li.
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 Li (Chinese) (li)
How long is a Li?
The length of the Li varied significantly throughout history, typically ranging from about 400 to over 500 meters. The modern standardized value (since 1929) is:
- Exactly 500 meters (m)
- Exactly 0.5 kilometers (km)
- Approximately 0.3107 miles (mi)
- Approximately 1640.42 feet (ft)
- Approximately 546.81 yards (yd)
How was the Li historically defined?
It was typically defined based on smaller units:
- 1 Li = 300 or 360 Bu (步 - paces)
- Since 1 Bu was often 5 or 6 Chi (尺 - Chinese feet), this meant *1 Li = 1500 or 1800 Chi.
- Alternatively, 1 Li = 150 Zhang (丈), where 1 Zhang = 10 Chi. The variation depended on the specific dynasty, region, and the prevailing standard length of the Chi.
How does the Li relate to the Kilometer?
The modern standardized Li is defined directly in relation to the kilometer:
- 1 Li = 0.5 Kilometers
- 1 Kilometer = 2 Li
Is the Li an SI unit?
No, the Li is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Chinese unit of distance. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m), and the commonly used unit for larger distances is the kilometer (km).
Is the Li still used today?
Officially, China uses the metric system (kilometers and meters) for all legal, commercial, scientific, and administrative purposes. However, the Li continues to be used in:
- Historical and cultural contexts.
- Geographical place names.
- Idioms and literature.
- Informal conversation, often meaning exactly 0.5 km.
Is this related to the surveying Link (li)?
No, they are completely different and unrelated units, despite the similar symbol in some contexts.
- The Chinese Li (里) is a traditional unit of distance, standardized at 500 meters.
- The Gunter's Link (li) is a historical surveying unit from the imperial system, equal to 0.201168 meters (or 7.92 inches).
Conversion Table: Furlong to Li (Chinese)
| Furlong (fur) | Li (Chinese) (li) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.201 |
| 1 | 0.402 |
| 1.5 | 0.604 |
| 2 | 0.805 |
| 5 | 2.012 |
| 10 | 4.023 |
| 25 | 10.058 |
| 50 | 20.117 |
| 100 | 40.234 |
| 250 | 100.584 |
| 500 | 201.168 |
| 1,000 | 402.336 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Furlong to Li (Chinese)?
To convert Furlong to Li (Chinese), 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 Li (Chinese)?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Furlong and Li (Chinese). 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 Li (Chinese) back to Furlong?
Yes! You can easily convert Li (Chinese) back to Furlong by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Li (Chinese) to Furlong converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Furlong and Li (Chinese)?
Furlong and Li (Chinese) 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