Shot of Chain to Fathom Converter

About this calculator

The shot of chain to fathom converter converts anchor chain length between shots, fathoms, feet, and meters using the fixed relationship 1 shot = 15 fathoms = 90 feet = 27.432 m. A “shot” (or “shackle” in British usage) is the standard length a length of anchor chain is manufactured and joined in, marked at each end so sailors can count how much chain has run out just by counting shackle marks on deck.

Fathoms and shots remain standard maritime units for chain length even though most other measurements have gone metric, because anchoring calculations — how much scope (chain length relative to water depth) to pay out for safe holding — are still traditionally expressed this way on ship's bridges worldwide. Ship's officers, riggers, and maritime engineering students use this converter to translate between the chain markings on deck and the metric or imperial depth figures on a chart.