Cable Length (cb) - Unit Information & Conversion

Symbol:cb
Plural:cable lengths
Category:Length

What is a Cable Length?

Definition

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.

History

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

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.

Unit FAQs

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.

Cable Length Conversion Formulas

To Meter:

1 cb = 185.2 m
Example: 5 cable lengths = 926 meters

To Kilometer:

1 cb = 0.1852 km
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.926 kilometers

To Hectometer:

1 cb = 1.852 hm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 9.26 hectometers

To Decimeter:

1 cb = 1852 dm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 9260 decimeters

To Centimeter:

1 cb = 18520 cm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 92600 centimeters

To Millimeter:

1 cb = 185200 mm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 926000 millimeters

To Inch:

1 cb = 7291.338583 in
Example: 5 cable lengths = 36456.692913 inches

To Foot:

1 cb = 607.611549 ft
Example: 5 cable lengths = 3038.057743 feet

To Yard:

1 cb = 202.537183 yd
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1012.685914 yards

To Mile:

1 cb = 0.115078 mi
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.57539 miles

To Nautical Mile:

1 cb = 0.1 NM
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.5 nautical miles

To Micrometer:

1 cb = 185200000 μm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 926000000 micrometers

To Nanometer:

1 cb = 185199999999.99997 nm
Example: 5 cable lengths = 926000000000 nanometers

To Light Year:

1 cb = 1.9575e-14 ly
Example: 5 cable lengths = 9.7875e-14 light years

To Astronomical Unit:

1 cb = 1.2380e-9 AU
Example: 5 cable lengths = 6.1898e-9 astronomical units

To Parsec:

1 cb = 6.0019e-15 pc
Example: 5 cable lengths = 3.0009e-14 parsecs

To Angstrom:

1 cb = 1851999999999.9998 Å
Example: 5 cable lengths = 9260000000000 angstroms

To Point (Typography):

1 cb = 524976.047259 pt
Example: 5 cable lengths = 2624880.236296 points

To Mil/Thou:

1 cb = 7291338.582677 mil
Example: 5 cable lengths = 36456692.913386 mils

To Fathom:

1 cb = 101.268591 fath
Example: 5 cable lengths = 506.342957 fathoms

To Furlong:

1 cb = 0.920624 fur
Example: 5 cable lengths = 4.603118 furlongs

To Link (Gunter's):

1 cb = 920.623558 li
Example: 5 cable lengths = 4603.117792 links

To Pace:

1 cb = 243.044619 pace
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1215.223097 paces

To Span:

1 cb = 810.148731 span
Example: 5 cable lengths = 4050.743657 spans

To Digit:

1 cb = 9721.784777 digit
Example: 5 cable lengths = 48608.923885 digits

To Ell:

1 cb = 162.029746 ell
Example: 5 cable lengths = 810.148731 ells

To Finger:

1 cb = 1620.297463 finger
Example: 5 cable lengths = 8101.487314 fingers

To Roman Mile:

1 cb = 0.125135 m.p.
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.625676 Roman miles

To Stadion:

1 cb = 1.001081 stadion
Example: 5 cable lengths = 5.005405 stadia

To Chi (Chinese):

1 cb = 555.655566 chi
Example: 5 cable lengths = 2778.277828 chi

To Shaku (Japanese):

1 cb = 611.221122 shaku
Example: 5 cable lengths = 3056.105611 shaku

To Li (Chinese):

1 cb = 0.3704 li
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1.852 li

To Toise:

1 cb = 95.023089 toise
Example: 5 cable lengths = 475.115444 toise

To Bolt:

1 cb = 6.076115 bolt
Example: 5 cable lengths = 30.380577 bolts

To Rope:

1 cb = 30.380577 rope
Example: 5 cable lengths = 151.902887 ropes

To Smoot:

1 cb = 108.825949 smoot
Example: 5 cable lengths = 544.129745 smoots

To Sajene:

1 cb = 86.80165 sajene
Example: 5 cable lengths = 434.008249 sajenes

To Ken:

1 cb = 101.870187 ken
Example: 5 cable lengths = 509.350935 ken

To Wa:

1 cb = 92.6 wa
Example: 5 cable lengths = 463 wa

To Vara:

1 cb = 220.949654 vara
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1104.74827 varas

To Aln:

1 cb = 311.784512 aln
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1558.922559 alnar

To Cubit (Royal/Egyptian):

1 cb = 354.110899 cubit
Example: 5 cable lengths = 1770.554493 cubits

To Versta:

1 cb = 0.173603 versta
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.868016 versts

To Arpent:

1 cb = 3.167382 arpent
Example: 5 cable lengths = 15.836911 arpents

To Ri (Japanese):

1 cb = 0.047161 ri
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.235803 ri

To Klafter:

1 cb = 97.653572 klafter
Example: 5 cable lengths = 488.267862 klafter

To Yojana:

1 cb = 0.013719 yojana
Example: 5 cable lengths = 0.068593 yojanas

To Skein:

1 cb = 1.68781 skein
Example: 5 cable lengths = 8.439049 skeins

Convert Cable Length

Need to convert Cable Length to other length units? Use our conversion tool.