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

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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:



  • 1 span β‰ˆ 9 inches (22.86 cm)



  • Based on the hand’s spread



  • Used historically in cloth measurement and tailoring



  • Now mostly of historical and cultural interest


Barleycorn


A barleycorn is an old English unit of length, traditionally based on the length of a grain of barley. It is defined as exactly 1/3 of an inch or approximately 8.47 millimeters.


Historically, the barleycorn was used for measuring small lengths and was also the basis for the inch, which was originally considered to be three barleycorns long. It played a role in various traditional measurements, including shoe sizing in English-speaking countries, where shoe sizes were sometimes expressed in barleycorn units.


Although obsolete as a formal unit, the barleycorn remains culturally significant, especially in shoe sizing systems.


Summary:



  • 1 barleycorn = 1/3 inch β‰ˆ 8.47 mm



  • Based on the length of a grain of barley



  • Used historically in small measurements and shoe sizing



  • Mostly of historical and cultural interest today





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