Fortnight (fn) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Fortnight?
Definition
A fortnight is a unit of time equal to exactly two weeks, which corresponds to 14 days or 336 hours.
History
The word "fortnight" originates from the Old English term "fēowertīene niht," meaning "fourteen nights." Counting periods by nights was common among ancient Germanic peoples. The term has been in continuous use in English for centuries and remains relatively common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth countries, although its usage has declined somewhat in favor of "two weeks," especially in North America.
Common Uses
- Scheduling: Used in some regions for scheduling events, meetings, or appointments that occur every two weeks.
- Payroll: Some companies, particularly in the UK and Australia, operate on a fortnightly pay cycle (paid every two weeks).
- Publications: Certain magazines or journals might be published fortnightly (bi-weekly).
- General Conversation: Used informally in regions where the term is common to refer to a two-week period (e.g., "I'm going on holiday for a fortnight").
- Literary/Formal Contexts: Sometimes used in literature or more formal writing for stylistic reasons or historical accuracy.
Unit FAQs
How many days are in a fortnight?
A fortnight consists of exactly 14 days (or 336 hours).
How many weeks make a fortnight?
A fortnight is equal to exactly 2 weeks.
Where does the word "fortnight" come from?
It originates from the Old English phrase "fēowertīene niht," which literally translates to "fourteen nights," reflecting an old practice of counting periods of time by the number of nights.
Is "fortnight" commonly used everywhere?
No, its usage varies significantly by region. It remains relatively common in everyday language in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth countries. However, in North America and many other parts of the world, the term "two weeks" is far more prevalent.
Fortnight Conversion Formulas
To Second:
To Minute:
To Hour:
To Day:
To Week:
To Month:
To Year:
To Millisecond:
To Microsecond:
To Nanosecond:
To Decade:
To Century:
To Millennium:
To Planck Time:
To Shake:
To Sidereal Day:
To Sidereal Year:
Convert Fortnight
Need to convert Fortnight to other time units? Use our conversion tool.