Smoot to Furlong Converter
Convert smoots to furlongs with our free online length converter.
Quick Answer
1 Smoot = 0.00846 furlongs
Formula: Smoot × conversion factor = Furlong
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Smoot to Furlong Calculator
How to Use the Smoot to Furlong Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Smoot).
- The converted value in Furlong 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 Smoot to Furlong: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Smoot to Furlong involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Smoot = 0.0084596 furlongsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 smoots: 10 × 0.0084596 = 0.084596 furlongs
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.
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View all Length conversions →What is a Smoot and a Furlong?
The Smoot is a non-standard, humorous unit of length created as part of an MIT fraternity prank in October 1958. It is defined by the height of Oliver R. Smoot (MIT class of 1962) at the time of the prank, which was 5 feet 7 inches.
This equates to:
- 67 inches (in)
- 1.7018 meters (m)
- Approximately 1.86 yards (yd)
Unlike standardized units, the Smoot is intrinsically tied to a specific individual's height at a particular moment and serves primarily as a cultural artifact and inside joke, particularly within the MIT community.
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.
Note: The Smoot is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Furlong belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Smoot and Furlong
The Smoot unit originated in October 1958 during the pledge activities of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at MIT. Pledges were tasked with measuring the length of the Harvard Bridge, which connects Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the Charles River.
Instead of using conventional measuring tools, the fraternity members decided to use one of their pledges, Oliver Smoot, as the unit of measure. They repeatedly laid him down end-to-end across the bridge, marking off increments in paint. His companions carried him or helped him move for each new measurement.
The final measurement determined the bridge's length to be 364.4 Smoots "plus or minus one ear". The "ear" indicated the uncertainty of the measurement, adding to the absurdity and humor of the event.
The painted markings on the bridge became a local landmark. They have been maintained and periodically repainted over the decades, often unofficially by members of the fraternity or other MIT affiliates. The Cambridge Police Department traditionally tolerates the markings because, among other reasons, they serve as useful reference points for identifying locations along the bridge.
Interestingly, Oliver R. Smoot later became a prominent figure in standards organizations, serving as Chairman of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and President of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an ironic twist given his namesake unit's non-standard nature.
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.
Common Uses and Applications: smoots vs furlongs
Explore the typical applications for both Smoot (imperial/US) and Furlong (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for smoots
The Smoot is not used for any official, scientific, or commercial measurements. Its use is primarily cultural and humorous:
- Harvard Bridge Markings: The painted markings on the bridge sidewalk are its most famous application, indicating distance in Smoots from the Boston side. They are a well-known local landmark.
- MIT Culture and Slang: Used humorously within the MIT community and sometimes in the broader Boston area as a quirky local reference.
- Digital Recognition: The unit gained wider recognition when it was included as a unit of measurement in Google Calculator and Google Earth's ruler tool.
- Popular Culture: Occasionally referenced in media or tech circles as an example of a non-standard or humorous unit.
When to Use 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.
Additional Unit Information
About Smoot (smoot)
How long is a Smoot?
One Smoot is exactly the height of Oliver R. Smoot in 1958:
- 5 feet 7 inches
- 67 inches
- 1.7018 meters
Is the Smoot an official or standardized unit?
No, the Smoot is not an official or standardized unit of measurement in any system (Imperial, US customary, or SI). It is a non-standard, humorous unit originating from a specific event.
Why is the bridge measurement "plus or minus one ear"?
The "plus or minus one ear" (often written as ± εar) reflects the humorous imprecision of the original measurement method using a person. It signifies the margin of error in a whimsical way, possibly referencing the difficulty of the final partial measurement or simply adding to the prank's absurdity.
Are the Smoot markings still on the Harvard Bridge?
Yes, the markings are traditionally repainted periodically (often by Lambda Chi Alpha members) and are considered a fixture of the bridge. During bridge renovations in 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation restored the markings, acknowledging their cultural significance.
How does the Smoot compare to standard units?
- 1 Smoot = 1.7018 meters
- 1 Meter ≈ 0.5876 Smoots
- 1 Smoot = 5.583 feet (5 feet 7 inches)
- 1 Foot ≈ 0.1791 Smoots
Is the Smoot an SI unit?
No, the Smoot is not an SI unit. It is a non-standard, informal unit. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
What did Oliver Smoot think of the unit?
Oliver Smoot generally embraced his namesake unit with good humor throughout his life and career, often participating in events related to it at MIT.
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
Conversion Table: Smoot to Furlong
| Smoot (smoot) | Furlong (fur) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.004 |
| 1 | 0.009 |
| 1.5 | 0.013 |
| 2 | 0.017 |
| 5 | 0.042 |
| 10 | 0.085 |
| 25 | 0.212 |
| 50 | 0.423 |
| 100 | 0.846 |
| 250 | 2.115 |
| 500 | 4.23 |
| 1,000 | 8.46 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Smoot to Furlong?
To convert Smoot to Furlong, enter the value in Smoot 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 Smoot to Furlong?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Smoot and Furlong. 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 Furlong back to Smoot?
Yes! You can easily convert Furlong back to Smoot by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Furlong to Smoot converter page. You can also explore other length conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Smoot and Furlong?
Smoot and Furlong 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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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
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⚠️ Common Mistakes
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All Length Conversions
Other Length Units and Conversions
Explore other length units and their conversion options:
- Meter (m) • Smoot to Meter
- Kilometer (km) • Smoot to Kilometer
- Hectometer (hm) • Smoot to Hectometer
- Decimeter (dm) • Smoot to Decimeter
- Centimeter (cm) • Smoot to Centimeter
- Millimeter (mm) • Smoot to Millimeter
- Inch (in) • Smoot to Inch
- Foot (ft) • Smoot to Foot
- Yard (yd) • Smoot to Yard
- Mile (mi) • Smoot 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