Link (US Survey)
The US survey link is a unit of length used in the United States for land surveying, defined as exactly 7.92 US survey inches. Since one US survey inch is slightly longer than the international inch (due to the US survey foot), the US survey link is approximately 0.201168 meters.
It is part of the US survey system, derived from Gunter’s chain, which is divided into 100 links per chain (66 US survey feet). Links are used to measure small distances in surveying and land measurement.
Key facts:
1 US survey link = 7.92 US survey inches
1 US survey link ≈ 0.201168 meters
100 links = 1 US survey chain (66 US survey feet)
25 links = 1 US survey rod (16.5 US survey feet)
Though the US survey units are being phased out, the US survey link still appears in historical land records and legal surveying documents.
Fingerbreadth
A fingerbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of a human finger, often used in historical and informal measurements. It typically measures about ¾ inch (approximately 19 millimeters), though it can vary depending on the person and context.
Fingerbreadths were commonly used in tailoring, medicine, and everyday life to estimate small lengths before standardized units became widespread.
Key points:
Approximately ¾ inch (19 mm)
Based on the width of a finger
Used in historical measurements and everyday approximations
Part of body-based units like handbreadth and span
Fingerbreadth remains a handy reference for rough estimates even today.