Convert furlong to kilometer easily.
1 fur x 0.201168 = 0.201168 km
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Ever wondered how far a horse actually runs in that "six-furlong sprint" you heard about at the races? Or maybe you’re deciphering an old land deed that mentions furlongs and need to translate it into modern terms. Converting furlongs to kilometers bridges the gap between historical measurements and today’s global standards. Let’s trot through everything you need to know—no plow required.
Unit definitions
What is a furlong (fur)?
A furlong is a traditional unit of distance originating from England. It’s deeply rooted in agriculture, representing the length of a furrow one ox team could plow without resting. Today, it’s most famous in horse racing.
- Symbol: fur
- Common uses: Horse racing track lengths, historical land measurement
- Definition: 1 furlong = 220 yards = 201.168 meters
What is a kilometer (km)?
A kilometer is the metric system’s answer to measuring longer distances. It’s used worldwide for everything from road signs to marathon courses.
- Symbol: km
- Common uses: Road distances, athletics, geography
- Definition: 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters
Conversion formula
To convert furlongs to kilometers:
Kilometers = Furlongs × 0.201168
For kilometers to furlongs:
Furlongs = Kilometers ÷ 0.201168
Example calculations
- Converting 5 furlongs to kilometers:
5 fur × 0.201168 = 1.00584 km (rounded to 1.0058 km) - Converting 3 kilometers to furlongs:
3 km ÷ 0.201168 ≈ 14.9129 furlongs (rounded to 14.9129 fur)
Conversion tables
Furlongs to kilometers
| Furlongs | Kilometers |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.2012 |
| 2 | 0.4023 |
| 3 | 0.6035 |
| 4 | 0.8047 |
| 5 | 1.0058 |
| 6 | 1.2070 |
| 7 | 1.4082 |
| 8 | 1.6093 |
| 9 | 1.8105 |
| 10 | 2.0117 |
Kilometers to furlongs
| Kilometers | Furlongs |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4.9710 |
| 2 | 9.9419 |
| 3 | 14.9129 |
| 4 | 19.8839 |
| 5 | 24.8548 |
| 6 | 29.8258 |
| 7 | 34.7968 |
| 8 | 39.7678 |
| 9 | 44.7387 |
| 10 | 49.7097 |
Historical background
Furlongs date back to Anglo-Saxon England, where they helped standardize agricultural planning. Imagine a medieval farmer pacing out his field—eight furlongs made a mile, which later became the statute mile we know today. The kilometer, on the other hand, emerged during teh French Revolution as part of the metric system’s push for decimal-based units. While kilometers spread globally, furlongs clung to niche uses, like defining the length of horse races..
Interesting facts
- The Epsom Derby, a iconic UK horse race, is run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 10 yards—a quirky blend of old and new units.
- Ireland’s Curragh Racecourse measures exactly 2 miles (16 furlongs) in circumference.
- One square furlong equals 10 acres, linking land area to linear measurement.
- The UK’s highway code still references furlongs in some older documents.
- In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, distances are sometimes described in furlongs to evoke a pre-industrial vibe.
FAQ
Furlongs remain popular in horse racing and agriculture in some countries, like the UK and Ireland, due to historical traditions.
The Kentucky Derby is 1.25 miles, which equals 10 furlongs or approximately 2.01168 kilometers.
Most nations phased out furlongs after adopting the metric system, but they occasionally appear in land surveys or historical documents.
It comes from Old English 'furh lang,' meaning 'furrow long,' referencing the distance oxen could plow before resting.
Absolutely! Multiply the number of furlongs by 0.201168 to get kilometers. For rough estimates, use 0.2 as a simplified factor.