What is a handbreadth?

A handbreadth is an informal, traditional unit of length based on the width of an adult human hand, varying by culture and era.

What is a link [li] unit?

The link is a historic English length unit used in surveying, equal to 1/100 of Gunter's chain, mainly found in old land measurement records.

Why convert handbreadths to links?

Converting handbreadths to links helps interpret informal or historic hand-based lengths into standardized survey units used in historical land records and archaeological research.

How to Convert from Handbreadth to Link [li]

Easily convert length measurements from handbreadth, a traditional human-based unit, to link [li], a historic English surveying unit, using this straightforward converter tool.

Handbreadth

Link [li]

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Handbreadth to Link [li] Conversion Table

Handbreadth	Link [li]

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Start Value

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Handbreadth to Link [li] Conversion Table
Handbreadth	Link [li]

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter transforms length values measured in handbreadths, a traditional width of an adult hand, into links [li], a historic English unit used in land surveying. It supports interpretation of historical and informal measurements into standardized survey units.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in handbreadths you wish to convert.
Select handbreadth as the input unit and link [li] as the output unit.
Click the convert button to get the equivalent length in link [li].
Use the results to interpret historical measurements or for practical on-site estimates.

Key Features

Converts handbreadth units, based on human hand width, into link [li] units.
Uses a fixed conversion rate reflecting the historical link definition.
Supports interpretations for historical, archaeological, surveying, and tailoring contexts.
Browser-based and easy to use for quick length translations between informal and historical units.

Examples

2 Handbreadths equal approximately 0.7576 link [li].
5 Handbreadths equal approximately 1.8939 link [li].

Common Use Cases

Translating dimensions from historical or religious texts into survey units.
Making onsite estimates in tailoring or woodworking without precision tools.
Cataloguing artifacts or clothing in archaeological and museum records.
Analyzing old land deeds and cadastral documents from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Reconstructing property boundaries from historical surveying data.

Tips & Best Practices

Consider the variability of handbreadth as a non-standard unit based on individual anatomy.
Use converted values for approximate understanding rather than precise engineering calculations.
Refer to historical context when interpreting link measurements from land records.
Combine this conversion with other historical data for comprehensive analysis.

Limitations

Handbreadth is a variable, informal unit that differs by culture and person, so exact conversion is approximate.
Links are largely historic units no longer common in modern surveying practices.
Conversion precision is limited when moving between anthropic and survey units and should be applied with caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a handbreadth?: A handbreadth is an informal, traditional unit of length based on the width of an adult human hand, varying by culture and era.
What is a link [li] unit?: The link is a historic English length unit used in surveying, equal to 1/100 of Gunter's chain, mainly found in old land measurement records.
Why convert handbreadths to links?: Converting handbreadths to links helps interpret informal or historic hand-based lengths into standardized survey units used in historical land records and archaeological research.

Key Terminology

Handbreadth: A traditional unit of length based on the width of an adult human hand, used informally and varying across cultures.
Link [li]: A historic English surveying unit equal to 1/100 of Gunter's chain, employed in land measurement during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Gunter's chain: A measurement tool historically used in surveying, consisting of 100 links, each link being a fraction of its total length.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does one handbreadth represent?

A fixed scientific unit of length

The width of an adult human hand

One hundredth of a Gunter's chain

What historical purpose does a link [li] serve?

A modern unit for woodworking measurements

A unit used in land surveying during the 18th–19th centuries

A unit for measuring religious texts

Why must conversions between handbreadths and links be used cautiously?

Both units are exactly standardized worldwide

Because handbreadth varies with individuals and links are historical units

Because links are still primary modern units in surveying

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