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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:

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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

A statute mile is a unit of length commonly used in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is officially defined as 5,280 feet or 1,609.344 meters. The term "statute mile" distinguishes it from other types of miles, such as the nautical mile. The origin of the statute mile dates back to an Act of Parliament in England in 1593, which standardized the length of the mile. It is primarily used for measuring distances on land, such as in road signs, speed limits, and maps. While many countries have adopted the metric system, the statute mile remains in everyday use in a few countries. In contrast to the nautical mile, which is used for air and sea navigation, the statute mile is mainly applied in land-based contexts. It is also used to calculate speed in miles per hour (mph), especially for vehicles and road travel.