Convert span (cloth) to Earth equatorial radius 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

Earth Equatorial Radius

The Earth's equatorial radius is the distance from the center of the Earth to the equator. It represents the Earth's radius measured along the equatorial plane.

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  Its value is approximately 6,378.1 kilometers (about 3,963.2 miles).

  
  
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  The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, so the equatorial radius is slightly larger than the polar radius.

  
  
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  This radius is important for geodesy, satellite orbits, and mapping.

  
  

Key facts:

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  Equatorial radius ≈ 6,378.1 km

  
  
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  Larger than polar radius due to Earth's flattening at the poles

  
  
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  Used in Earth sciences, navigation, and space missions

  
  

Understanding the Earth's equatorial radius helps in accurate modeling of the planet’s shape and gravitational field.