Convert ell to rod (US survey) Online | Free Length Converter

Ell

An ell is a historical unit of length that was commonly used in medieval Europe, especially for measuring textiles and cloth. Its length varied by region but was typically about 45 inches (approximately 1.143 meters).

The ell originated from the length of the arm or forearm and was often used by tailors and merchants to measure fabric. Different countries had their own versions—for example, the English ell was about 45 inches, while the Scottish ell was longer, around 37 inches.

Although obsolete today, the ell played an important role in trade and clothing production before standardized measurements became widespread.

Summary:

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  1 ell ≈ 45 inches (1.143 meters)

  
  
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  Used mainly for measuring cloth and textiles

  
  
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  Length varied by region and country

  
  

The ell is now largely of historical interest but reflects the origins of many modern measurement systems.

Rod (US Survey)

The US survey rod is a unit of length used in U.S. land surveying. It is defined as exactly 16.5 US survey feet, which is slightly longer than the international foot. Since one US survey foot equals approximately 0.3048006096 meters, the US survey rod measures about 5.0292 meters.

The survey rod, also called a pole or perch, is historically significant in the U.S. Public Land Survey System and is used to measure land boundaries and distances.

Key facts:

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  1 US survey rod = 16.5 US survey feet

  
  
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  1 US survey rod ≈ 5.0292 meters

  
  
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  4 US survey rods = 1 US survey chain

  
  
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  40 US survey rods = 1 US survey furlong

  
  

Though the US survey foot and related units are being phased out in favor of international units, the US survey rod still appears in legal land descriptions and older surveying documents.