Convert span (cloth) to pole 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

Pole

A pole is another traditional unit of length equivalent to a rod or perch. It measures exactly 16.5 feet, 5.5 yards, or about 5.0292 meters.

The pole has been used historically in land measurement and surveying, especially in England and the United States. Like the rod and perch, it helped standardize measurements of fields, plots, and boundaries before the adoption of metric units.

Key conversions:

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  1 pole = 16.5 feet

  
  
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  1 pole = 5.5 yards

  
  
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  1 pole ≈ 5.0292 meters

  
  
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  4 poles = 1 chain

  
  
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  40 poles = 1 furlong

  
  

Though largely replaced by modern units, the pole remains a notable term in historical surveying and land records.