Convert handbreadth to mile (US survey) Online | Free Length Converter

Handbreadth

A handbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of a human hand, typically measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended. It was commonly used in ancient and medieval times for everyday measurements.

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  The handbreadth is generally about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters), though the exact length could vary by culture and era.

  
  
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  It served as a practical, easy-to-use measure in tailoring, construction, and daily life before standardized units were established.

  
  
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  The handbreadth is one of several body-based units, like the span and palm, reflecting how humans used their own bodies for measuring.

  
  

Summary:

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  About 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)

  
  
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  Based on the width of an extended hand

  
  
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  Used historically in various cultures

  
  
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  Practical for informal, everyday measurement

Mile (US Survey)

The US survey mile is a unit of length used in land surveying in the United States. It is defined as exactly 5,280 survey feet, with one survey foot equal to 1200/3937 meters (approximately 0.3048006096 meters). This makes the US survey mile equal to about 1,609.3472 meters, slightly longer than the international (statute) mile, which is exactly 1,609.344 meters.

The US survey mile was established to maintain consistency with older land measurement systems based on the Mendenhall Order of 1893. It was commonly used in mapping, legal land descriptions, and public land surveys.

Although the difference between the survey and statute mile is very small (about 3.2 millimeters), it can be significant over large distances. As of 2023, the U.S. has officially retired the survey foot (and survey mile) for most applications, favoring the international foot and mile to standardize measurements.