Pace to Cable Length Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert paces to cable lengths with our free online length converter.
Pace to Cable Length Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Pace).
- 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 Pace to Cable Length
Converting Pace to Cable Length involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Pace = 0.00411447 cable lengthsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 paces: 10 × 0.00411447 = 0.0411447 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 Pace and a Cable Length?
The Pace is a unit of length based on the distance covered by a human step. Its definition is highly variable and depends heavily on context, often referring to either a single step or a double step.
- Single Step Pace: Often informally estimated as the distance from the heel of one foot to the heel of the next foot in a normal walking stride. Common estimations range from 2.5 to 3 feet (ft) or approximately 0.75 to 0.9 meters (m). This is sometimes simply called a 'step' or 'stride'.
- Double Step Pace (Roman Pace): Historically, the most significant definition was the Roman passus, which measured the distance from the heel of one foot to the point where the same foot touches the ground again (i.e., two steps). This was standardized as 5 Roman feet, roughly 1.48 meters or 4.86 feet.
Due to its inherent variability and dependence on individual gait and terrain, the pace is not a standardized unit for precise measurement.
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 Pace is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Cable Length belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Pace and Cable Length
The pace is one of the most ancient and intuitive units of length, used across numerous cultures due to its direct link to human locomotion.
- Ancient Rome: The Romans formalized the passus (double step) as 5 pedes (Roman feet). This unit was fundamental to their system, with 1000 passus forming the Roman mile (mille passus), which heavily influenced the definition of the mile in later systems.
- Military Usage: Throughout history, armies used paces (both single and double) for marching cadence, estimating distances, and measuring fortifications or camp layouts. Standardized step lengths were often drilled.
- Informal Measurement: Before widespread standardized rulers and tapes, pacing was a common way for individuals to estimate lengths and distances for land, construction, or travel.
The pace gradually fell out of official use with the rise of standardized systems like the Imperial system (feet, yards) and the Metric system (meters), which offered greater precision and consistency.
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 paces and cable lengths
Explore the typical applications for both Pace (imperial/US) and Cable Length (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for paces
While obsolete for official measurements, the pace still finds some use:
- Rough Estimation: Used informally to get a quick approximation of distances, such as the length of a room, a garden plot, or walking distances in hiking or orienteering.
- Military & Marching Bands: Concepts related to pace length and cadence remain relevant in drilling and formation marching.
- Historical Context: Understanding the pace (especially the Roman passus) is crucial for interpreting historical texts, military accounts, and measurements related to ancient structures or distances.
- Exercise & Fitness: Step counters (pedometers) measure activity in terms of steps, which are essentially single paces.
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 Pace (pace)
How long is a pace?
There is no single standard length for a "pace".
- An informal single step pace is often estimated at 2.5 to 3 feet (0.75 to 0.9 meters).
- The historical Roman pace (passus) was a double step, standardized at 5 Roman feet (approx. 1.48 meters or 4.86 feet). Always clarify which definition is being used.
What is the difference between a pace and a Roman pace?
A "pace" is ambiguous. It can mean a single step (variable length, ~2.5-3 ft) or a double step. The Roman pace (passus) specifically refers to the double step standardized at 5 Roman feet (~1.48 m).
What is the difference between a pace and a step or stride?
Often, "step" or "stride" refers to the distance covered by a single movement of one foot forward (heel-to-heel or toe-to-toe). "Pace" can mean this, but it can also refer to the Roman double step (passus). The ambiguity makes "step" or "stride" slightly clearer when referring to a single foot movement.
How many paces are in a mile?
This depends on the definition of "pace":
- Using the Roman pace (passus): The Roman mile (mille passus) was defined as 1000 paces (double steps).
- Using an informal single step pace: If we estimate a single step pace at 2.5 feet, a statute mile (5280 feet) would contain 5280 / 2.5 = 2112 single paces. If estimated at 3 feet, it would be 5280 / 3 = 1760 single paces. This is highly approximate.
Is the pace an SI unit?
No, the pace is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, non-standardized, anthropomorphic unit. The SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the pace still used today?
The pace is not used for any official, scientific, or trade measurements today due to its lack of standardization. Its use is confined to informal distance estimation, historical study, and contexts like military drilling or fitness tracking (as steps).
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: Pace to Cable Length
| Pace (pace) | Cable Length (cb) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.004 |
| 5 | 0.021 |
| 10 | 0.041 |
| 25 | 0.103 |
| 50 | 0.206 |
| 100 | 0.411 |
| 500 | 2.057 |
| 1,000 | 4.115 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- 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)
- 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)