How many cubits wide does Genesis say Noah’s Ark was?

Genesis says Noah’s Ark was 50 cubits wide. The figure appears in Genesis 6:15, in the same verse that gives the ark’s length as 300 cubits and its height as 30 cubits.

Because the cubit was an ancient measurement based broadly on the forearm, its exact modern equivalent is uncertain. Using common estimates, 50 cubits might be approximately 22 to 23 metres, or around 75 feet. Such conversions should be treated as approximations rather than exact engineering specifications.

The dimensions produce a vessel six times as long as it is wide. This proportion has attracted attention from naval historians and engineers because a long, broad, box-like hull can be stable in rough water when its purpose is to float rather than travel quickly.

Genesis gives no detailed account of a rudder, sails, or a navigation system. The narrative’s emphasis is instead on survival, containment, and obedience to the divine instructions.