What is a furlong in horse racing?
Furlong — A unit of race distance — one eighth of a mile, or 220 yards (about 201 metres).
A furlong is the standard unit of distance in horse racing. One furlong is 220 yards — an eighth of a mile, or roughly 201 metres. Eight furlongs make one mile.
Race distances are written in miles and furlongs, so “1m 2f” means one mile and two furlongs (ten furlongs in all). You’ll see the shorthand on every racecard.
Distance shapes the race and the horse suited to it:
- 5f–6f — sprints, all about speed
- 7f–1m — milers
- 1m2f–1m4f — middle distances
- 2m and beyond — staying races, rewarding stamina
Knowing a horse’s best trip is one of the first things our ratings weigh up.
See today’s racecards & distances →
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
How many furlongs are in a mile?
Eight. One furlong is 220 yards, and eight of them make a mile (1,760 yards).
How long is a furlong in metres?
About 201 metres, or 220 yards.
← Back to the full horse racing glossary.
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