furlong [fur] Unit Converter

Definition of furlong [fur] unit

A furlong is a unit of length equal to 1/8 of a statute mile, or 660 feet (201.168 metres). It comprises 40 rods, poles, or perches, and is traditionally associated with the length of a furrow in a cultivated field.

History of furlong [fur] unit

The furlong originated in Anglo-Saxon England as a practical agricultural measure. Its name means “furrow-length,” describing the distance a team of oxen could plough without resting or turning. Medieval land surveys commonly treated a furlong as 40 rods, while eight furlongs formed a statute mile. This arrangement became standardized through English customary measurement and was later inherited by the United States. Although metrication replaced it in most formal contexts, the furlong remains preserved in horse racing, historical references, and some traditional land descriptions, especially in Britain and Ireland.

Applications of furlong [fur] unit

Today, the furlong is used most visibly in horse racing, where track distances are commonly stated in furlongs; one furlong equals 201.168 metres. It also appears in discussions of British history, rural property boundaries, and traditional surveying. In everyday measurement, however, metres, kilometres, feet, and miles are generally preferred for practical purposes.

Complete list of furlong [fur] unit conversion