What is a handbreadth?

A handbreadth is a traditional length unit based on the width of an adult human hand, used informally or historically and varying by culture and time.

How many barleycorns are in one handbreadth?

One handbreadth equals nine barleycorns.

Where is the barleycorn unit commonly used?

Barleycorn is commonly found in British shoe sizing and historical measurements, but it mainly remains of traditional and historical interest.

How to Convert from Handbreadth to Barleycorn?

Learn how to convert length measurements from the traditional handbreadth unit to the historic barleycorn unit, useful for historical research, tailoring, and British shoe sizing.

Handbreadth

Barleycorn

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Handbreadth to Barleycorn Conversion Table

Handbreadth	Barleycorn

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Handbreadth to Barleycorn Conversion Table
Handbreadth	Barleycorn

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What Is This Tool?

This converter transforms length values measured in handbreadths into barleycorns, bridging informal or traditional hand-based measures with a recognized historical British unit used in various contexts such as tailoring and historical studies.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value you want to convert in handbreadths
Choose handbreadth as the source unit and barleycorn as the target unit
Click the convert button to get the equivalent length in barleycorns

Key Features

Converts length from handbreadth to barleycorn accurately using the fixed ratio
Browser-based and easy to use without installation
Useful for historical, archaeological, and traditional measurement interpretations

Examples

1 Handbreadth equals 9 Barleycorn
3 Handbreadths convert to 27 Barleycorn
Use the tool to quickly convert any number of handbreadths to barleycorns for your project

Common Use Cases

Interpreting historical or religious texts with measurements expressed in handbreadths
Making informal width estimates in tailoring or woodworking using traditional units
Translating measurements in archaeology and museum catalogs involving old units
Applying conversions in British shoe sizing and traditional craft pattern interpretation

Tips & Best Practices

Remember that handbreadth measurements can vary culturally and historically
Use barleycorn conversions mainly for traditional or historical contexts, not precision tasks
Double-check entries for accurate conversions, especially when interpreting texts or artifacts

Limitations

Handbreadth is not a standardized unit and its exact size varies by era and culture
Barleycorn, though standardized as one third inch, is mostly of historical interest and not suited for modern precision needs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a handbreadth?: A handbreadth is a traditional length unit based on the width of an adult human hand, used informally or historically and varying by culture and time.
How many barleycorns are in one handbreadth?: One handbreadth equals nine barleycorns.
Where is the barleycorn unit commonly used?: Barleycorn is commonly found in British shoe sizing and historical measurements, but it mainly remains of traditional and historical interest.

Key Terminology

Handbreadth: A traditional anthropic length unit equal to the width of an adult human hand, varying by culture and era.
Barleycorn: A historic length unit equal to one third of an inch, originally based on the length of a grain of barley.

Quick Knowledge Check

What traditional length unit is based on the width of an adult human hand?

Barleycorn

Handbreadth

Inch

How many barleycorns make up one handbreadth?

In which context is barleycorn still commonly used?

Modern engineering

British shoe sizing

Medical measurements

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