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

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

Centiinch

A centiinch is a very small unit of length equal to one-hundredth of an inch (0.01 inch). It is not commonly used in everyday measurement but may appear in fields requiring precise fractional measurements based on the inch.

Key details:

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  1 centiinch = 0.01 inch

  
  
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  Equivalent to 0.254 millimeters

  
  
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  Used for fine measurements where inch subdivisions are preferred

  
  
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  Rare and mostly of specialized or historical interest

  
  

The centiinch allows for more detailed measurements within the inch system, similar to how centimeters subdivide a meter.