What Is Furlong?
A furlong is a unit used to measure length. It is mostly used in horse racing and some country areas. One furlong is one eighth of a mile, so eight furlongs make one mile.
Definition
A furlong is a unit of distance in the imperial system of measurement. In exact numbers:
- 1 furlong = 220 yards
- 1 furlong = 660 feet
- 1 furlong ≈ 201.168 meters
- 8 furlongs = 1 mile
Today, people often think of a furlong in terms of horse races, where race lengths are given in furlongs and miles.
History / Origin
The word furlong comes from old English words that mean furrow and long. Long ago, it described the length of a furrow, which is a row made by a plough in a field.
In early farming, a furlong was about as far as a team of oxen could plough in one go without resting. Over time, this common field length slowly turned into a standard unit of distance.
Later, when miles and yards were fixed more clearly in English law, the furlong was also fixed. It became exactly 220 yards and one eighth of a mile. Even though many countries now use meters, the furlong stayed in use in horse racing and some land measurements.
Symbol & Abbreviation
The most common ways to write furlong in short form are:
- fur or furlong written in full in horse racing
- fur or sometimes f in older texts and tables
In modern science and engineering, furlong is almost never used, so there is no official symbol in the metric system.
Current Use Around the World
Today the furlong is not a common everyday unit. It is mostly used in:
- Horse racing in countries that use miles, such as the United Kingdom and the United States. Race distances like 6 furlongs or 7 furlongs are normal.
- Some land and road names in older English speaking areas, where old measurements were never fully removed.
Most modern maps, road signs, and school lessons now use meters and kilometers, so many people only meet furlongs when they follow horse racing.
Example Conversions
Here are some simple examples to help you picture a furlong.
Furlongs to miles
- 1 furlong = 0.125 miles
- 4 furlongs = 0.5 miles
- 8 furlongs = 1 mile
- 12 furlongs = 1.5 miles
Furlongs to meters (rounded to the nearest meter)
- 1 furlong ≈ 201 meters
- 2 furlongs ≈ 402 meters
- 4 furlongs ≈ 805 meters
- 5 furlongs ≈ 1,006 meters, just over 1 kilometer
- 8 furlongs ≈ 1,609 meters, about 1 mile
Furlongs to yards and feet
- 1 furlong = 220 yards = 660 feet
- 2 furlongs = 440 yards = 1,320 feet
- 6 furlongs = 1,320 yards = 3,960 feet
Related Units
Units that are closely related to the furlong include:
- Mile one mile is 8 furlongs, 1 mile = 1,760 yards ≈ 1,609 meters.
- Yard 1 yard is 3 feet, 220 yards make 1 furlong.
- Foot 1 foot is 12 inches, 660 feet make 1 furlong.
- Meter the main metric unit of length, 1 furlong ≈ 201.168 meters.
- Kilometer 1 kilometer is 1,000 meters, about 4.97 furlongs.
FAQs
Q: How many furlongs are in a mile?
A: There are 8 furlongs in 1 mile.
Q: How many meters are in a furlong?
A: One furlong is about 201.168 meters. For quick mental math, many people use 201 meters.
Q: Where is the furlong still used today?
A: The furlong is mainly used in horse racing in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. You may also find it in some older land records.
Q: Why did people stop using furlongs?
A: Most countries moved to the metric system, which uses meters and kilometers. These units are easier for science, trade, and world wide use, so old units like the furlong became rare.
Q: Is a furlong longer than a kilometer?
A: No. A furlong is much shorter. One furlong is about 201 meters, while a kilometer is 1,000 meters. It takes almost 5 furlongs to make 1 kilometer.
Q: How long is a 6 furlong race?
A: A 6 furlong race is three quarters of a mile. That is about 1,207 meters.