Convert link to span (cloth) Online | Free Length Converter

Link

A link is a traditional unit of length used primarily in land surveying. It is defined as exactly 7.92 inches or approximately 20.1168 centimeters.

The link originated from Gunter's chain, a 66-foot measuring device introduced in 1620 by English mathematician Edmund Gunter. This chain was divided into 100 equal parts, each measuring one link. The link became a standard unit in English-speaking countries for surveying and land measurement.

Key Facts:

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  1 link = 7.92 inches

  
  
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  1 link ≈ 20.1168 cm

  
  
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  25 links = 1 rod (16.5 feet)

  
  
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  100 links = 1 chain (66 feet)

  
  
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  1,000 links = 1 furlong (660 feet)

  
  

While the link has largely fallen out of general use, it remains a part of historical surveying practices and is still referenced in some legal and cadastral documents.

Span (Cloth)

A span is an old unit of length based on the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger of a fully extended hand. Traditionally, it measures about 9 inches or 22.86 centimeters.

In the context of cloth and textiles, the span was used as a convenient, informal measure to estimate small lengths of fabric before standardized rulers became widespread. It was helpful for tailors and traders to quickly gauge lengths during measuring and cutting.

While the span is largely obsolete as a formal unit today, it reflects historical measurement practices tied closely to the human body, similar to the cubit or hand.

Summary:

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  1 span ≈ 9 inches (22.86 cm)

  
  
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  Based on the hand’s spread

  
  
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  Used historically in cloth measurement and tailoring

  
  
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  Now mostly of historical and cultural interest