Meter to Cable Length Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert meters to cable lengths with our free online length converter.
Meter to Cable Length Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Meter).
- The converted value in Cable Length 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 Meter to Cable Length
Converting Meter to Cable Length involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Meter = 0.00539957 cable lengthsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 meters: 10 × 0.00539957 = 0.0539957 cable lengths
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.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Meter and a Cable Length?
The meter is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second. It forms the basis for other metric length units.
A Cable Length (symbol cb), often shortened to cable, is a nautical unit of length, traditionally related to the length of a ship's anchor cable. While its exact length has varied historically and geographically, it is now most commonly defined internationally as one-tenth of a nautical mile (1/10 NM).
This standard definition equates to:
- 185.2 meters (m)
- Approximately 607.61 feet (ft)
- Approximately 202.54 yards (yd)
Other historical definitions based on the fathom also exist.
Note: The Meter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Cable Length belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Meter and Cable Length
Originally defined in 1793 by the French Academy of Sciences as one ten-millionth of the distance from the equator to the North Pole along a meridian. Later definitions involved prototype bars (platinum-iridium) and wavelengths of krypton-86 radiation before the current definition based on the speed of light was adopted in 1983.
The unit originated from the practical length of a ship's anchor cable (or "shot" of chain) used in the age of sail. Anchor cables were typically manufactured in standard lengths that could be shackled together. This length provided a convenient unit for measuring distances related to anchoring and maneuvering close to shore or other vessels.
However, the length was not universally standardized:
- In the British Royal Navy, a cable was traditionally defined as 100 fathoms (equivalent to 600 feet or 182.88 meters).
- In the U.S. Navy, it was often defined as 120 fathoms (equivalent to 720 feet or 219.456 meters).
With the international adoption of the nautical mile (defined as 1852 meters), defining the cable as exactly one-tenth of this value (185.2 m) created a convenient, decimal-based relationship and became the most common modern standard, sometimes referred to as the "international cable length".
Common Uses for meters and cable lengths
Explore the typical applications for both Meter (metric) and Cable Length (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for meters
- Dimensions & Construction: Measuring room dimensions, building heights, and land plots.
- Science & Engineering: Standard unit in scientific research (physics, engineering).
- Athletics: Track and field events (e.g., 100-meter dash).
- Textiles: Measuring fabric lengths.
- Everyday Measurements: Everyday height and distance measurements in metric countries.
Common Uses for cable lengths
The cable length, particularly the 1/10 NM definition, remains in use in specific maritime contexts:
- Nautical Navigation & Ship Handling: Measuring short distances at sea, such as the distance between ships in formation, distance off a navigational hazard, distance to a pier, estimating anchor drag, or describing the scope (length) of anchor cable paid out.
- Hydrographic Surveying: Historically used on nautical charts, although meters are now the primary international standard for depth and short distances on modern charts.
- Naval Terminology: Persists in naval traditions and communications for describing close ranges.
- Historical Context: Encountered in older maritime texts, logs, charts, and naval records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Meter (m)
Is the meter the primary unit of length globally?
Yes, the meter is the base unit for length in the SI system, used by most countries for scientific, industrial, and many everyday purposes.
How was the meter originally defined?
It was first defined based on a fraction of the Earth's meridian distance from the equator to the North Pole.
How is the meter defined today?
It is defined by the distance light travels in a vacuum during a specific fraction of a second (1/299,792,458 s).
About Cable Length (cb)
What are the different values for a cable length?
The value depends on the definition being used:
- International Standard: 1 cable = 1/10 nautical mile = 185.2 meters ≈ 607.61 feet. (Most common modern definition)
- British Traditional: 1 cable = 100 fathoms = 182.88 meters = 600 feet.
- US Traditional: 1 cable = 120 fathoms = 219.456 meters = 720 feet.
Always clarify which definition is intended if precision is critical, though the 1/10 NM version is generally assumed today unless otherwise specified.
How many meters are in a standard cable length?
The internationally recognized standard cable length is exactly 185.2 meters.
How many feet are in a standard cable length?
The internationally recognized standard cable length is approximately 607.61 feet. The traditional British cable was 600 ft, and the traditional US cable was 720 ft.
Is the cable length related to the nautical mile?
Yes, the most common modern definition establishes a direct relationship: 1 cable length = 1/10 nautical mile.
Is the cable length an SI unit?
No, the cable length is not an SI unit. It is a traditional nautical unit derived from maritime practice and later linked to the nautical mile. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the cable length still used today?
Yes, while meters and nautical miles are standard for most navigation, the cable length (especially the 1/10 NM definition) is still actively used in specific maritime applications like anchoring, close maneuvering, naval operations, and sometimes in recreational boating contexts. It serves as a convenient subdivision of the nautical mile.
Conversion Table: Meter to Cable Length
| Meter (m) | Cable Length (cb) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.005 |
| 5 | 0.027 |
| 10 | 0.054 |
| 25 | 0.135 |
| 50 | 0.27 |
| 100 | 0.54 |
| 500 | 2.7 |
| 1,000 | 5.4 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)