In non-racing contexts, a furlong is an imperial unit of length (220 yards). In biblical translations, it appears as a historical distance measure, not a racing term.
Racing & Pari-Mutuel
Furlong
A furlong is a unit of length equal to 220 yards, used in horse racing as the standard way to state how far a race is and how far remains to the finish.
Key points
- Furlongs are the standard unit for expressing race distances in horse racing, such as a 6-furlong sprint or a 1-mile (8-furlong) race. 1
- British racecourses mark the distance to the finish with numbered furlong posts, updated every furlong. 1
- 5 furlongs is approximately 1 kilometre (1,005.84 metres). 24
- One furlong equals 10 chains, a unit used in surveying and agriculture. 25
Furlong conversions
| Furlongs | Miles | Yards | Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.125 | 220 | 201.168 |
| 2 | 0.25 | 440 | 402.336 |
| 5 | 0.625 | 1,100 | 1,005.84 |
| 8 | 1 | 1,760 | 1,609.344 |
How furlongs work on course
- Race distances are announced in furlongs and miles, e.g. '1 mile 2 furlongs' (10 furlongs total). 1
- Numbered furlong posts are placed at each furlong from the finish, counting down (e.g., 5 fur, 4 fur, etc.). 1
- Jockeys and commentators use these markers to gauge pace and position during the race. 1
Common questions
What is a furlong in horse racing?
In horse racing, a furlong is the standard unit for measuring race distances. One furlong equals 220 yards (1/8 mile). Races are commonly described as '6 furlongs' or '1 mile 2 furlongs'.
What is a furlong in the bible?
In the Bible, a furlong is a translation of the Greek stadion, a unit of distance about 185 metres. It appears in historical contexts, not as a racing term.
What is edward furlong doing now?
Edward Furlong is an American actor, best known for playing John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This is unrelated to the racing term.
What is a furlong in feet?
One furlong equals 660 feet. This is derived from 220 yards (3 feet per yard).
Where this term is used
Related terms
Sources
- Glossary | Racing Explained thejockeyclub.co.uk Defines furlong as 1/8 mile and explains its use in race distances and furlong posts.
- Furlong en.wikipedia.org Provides the exact length (220 yards, 660 feet, 201.168 metres) and historical origin.
- Glossary of North American horse racing en.wikipedia.org Confirms abbreviation 'fur' and alternative names.
- Imperial units - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Gives metric equivalent and relation to imperial units.
- English units of measurement - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Supports the chain unit and historical measurement context.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.