Convert hand to perch 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.

Perch

A perch is an old unit of length that is synonymous with the rod or pole, commonly used in land measurement and surveying. It measures 16.5 feet, 5.5 yards, or approximately 5.0292 meters.

The perch was widely used in England and later in the United States for measuring plots of land, especially before the widespread adoption of the metric system. It was also used to describe area when squared (square perch).

Key points:

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  1 perch = 16.5 feet

  
  
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  1 perch = 5.5 yards

  
  
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  1 perch ≈ 5.0292 meters

  
  
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  4 perches = 1 chain

  
  
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  40 perches = 1 furlong

  
  

While largely obsolete today, the term perch still appears in historical land deeds, legal documents, and some traditional surveying contexts.