Convert nail (cloth) to cubit (UK) Online | Free Length Converter

Nail (Cloth)


A nail is a traditional unit of length used in cloth measurement, equal to 2¼ inches or approximately 5.715 centimeters. It was commonly used by tailors and fabric merchants in England to measure small lengths of fabric.


The term “nail” likely originates from the practice of marking lengths on a measuring stick with notches or nails, making it easy to measure fabric quickly. The nail was a convenient subdivision of the yard, with 1 yard = 16 nails.


Though obsolete today, the nail remains an interesting part of historical textile measurement systems.


Summary:



  • 1 nail = 2¼ inches (5.715 cm)



  • 1 yard = 16 nails



  • Used historically in tailoring and fabric trade



  • Originates from notches or nails on measuring sticks





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Cubit (UK)


The cubit is an ancient unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. In the UK, the cubit varied historically but was generally considered to be about 18 inches (approximately 45.72 centimeters).


The cubit was used in medieval England and earlier times for measuring lengths, especially in construction and tailoring. It’s one of the oldest recorded units of measurement, with origins in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia.


Though obsolete in modern measurement systems, the cubit remains important in historical and archaeological contexts, reflecting early human methods of standardizing length based on the human body.


Summary:



  • 1 cubit (UK) ≈ 18 inches (45.72 cm)



  • Based on the length of the forearm



  • Used historically in construction and trade



  • Now mostly of historical interest



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