Convert hand to finger (cloth) Online | Free Length Converter

Hand

A hand is a traditional unit of length primarily used to measure the height of horses. It is equal to 4 inches or 10.16 centimeters.

The origin of the hand as a measurement comes from using the width of a human hand, and it has been standardized at 4 inches for consistency in horse measurement. Horse height is expressed in "hands," measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades).

Key points:

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  1 hand = 4 inches

  
  
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  1 hand = 10.16 centimeters

  
  
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  Used mainly for measuring horse height

  
  
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  Horse height is often given in hands and inches, e.g., 15.2 hands means 15 hands plus 2 inches

  
  

The hand remains the standard unit for horse height in many English-speaking countries.

Finger (Cloth)

A finger is a traditional, informal unit of length based on the width of a human finger. It was commonly used in tailoring and cloth measurement. The exact length varies but is generally considered to be about ¾ inch (approximately 1.9 centimeters).

The finger measurement helped tailors and fabric merchants make quick estimations of small lengths or widths of material before precise tools were common. It is one of several body-based units used historically in textiles, alongside the span, palm, and hand.

Though rarely used in modern measurement, the finger remains a part of historical measurement systems and illustrates how people relied on their bodies for everyday measuring tasks.

Summary:

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  1 finger ≈ ¾ inch (1.9 cm)

  
  
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  Based on the width of a human finger

  
  
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  Used in tailoring and cloth measurement

  
  
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  Mostly of historical interest today