Dekameter to Meter Converter (dam to m)
Instantly convert between dekameters and meters using this precise tool. Essential for civil engineering, land surveying, and academic applications. 100% free with no registration required.
Conversion Formula
1 dekameter (dam) = 10 meters (m)
To convert dekameters to meters:
meters = dekameters × 10
Example: 2.5 dam × 10 = 25 m
Dekameter to Meter Conversion Table
| Dekameters (dam) | Meters (m) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 dam | 1 m |
| 0.5 dam | 5 m |
| 1 dam | 10 m |
| 2 dam | 20 m |
| 2.5 dam | 25 m |
| 5 dam | 50 m |
| 10 dam | 100 m |
| 15 dam | 150 m |
| 20 dam | 200 m |
| 50 dam | 500 m |
| 100 dam | 1,000 m |
Practical Examples
- Swimming pool length: 2.5 dam = 25 m (Olympic-sized pool)
- Football field: 9 dam = 90 m (including end zones)
- City block: Typically 10-12 dam (100-120 m)
Professional Applications
- Civil engineering: Road and bridge construction planning
- Surveying: Property boundary measurements
- Agriculture: Field irrigation system layout
- Urban planning: Park and public space design
Reference: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Definition and Background
What is a Dekameter?
A dekameter (dam) is a metric unit of length equal to 10 meters. The name comes from:
- Greek “deka”: meaning ten
- Greek “metron”: meaning measure
What is a Meter?
The meter (m) is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). It was originally defined in 1793 as:
- 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North Pole
- Now defined by the speed of light (1/299,792,458 of a second)
Metric System Hierarchy
| Unit | Symbol | Meters |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeter | mm | 0.001 m |
| Centimeter | cm | 0.01 m |
| Decimeter | dm | 0.1 m |
| Meter | m | 1 m |
| Dekameter | dam | 10 m |
| Hectometer | hm | 100 m |
| Kilometer | km | 1,000 m |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I use dekameters instead of meters?
Dekameters provide a convenient middle-ground unit for measuring distances that are too long for meters but too short for kilometers, especially in land measurement.
How precise is dekameter measurement?
While less precise than meters (1 dam = 10 m), dekameters are useful for approximate measurements where exact precision isn’t critical.
What’s the history of the dekameter?
Introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system, from the Greek “deka” (ten) and “metron” (measure).
Are dekameters used worldwide?
Primarily used in Europe and countries that fully adopted the metric system, less common in everyday use in the US.