What is a handbreadth?

A handbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of an adult human hand, used historically rather than as a standardized scientific measurement.

What is the US survey link unit?

The US survey link is a historical length unit equal to one hundredth of a Gunter's chain, used mainly in land surveying in the United States.

Can I use this converter for precise engineering measurements?

Because the handbreadth varies and the link is historical, this conversion serves mainly for approximate and interpretive use rather than precise engineering measurements.

How to Convert from Handbreadth to Link (US survey) [li]

Easily convert measurements from handbreadth, a traditional width of the human hand, to the US survey link unit used in historic land surveying, with guidance on use cases and conversion examples.

Handbreadth

Link (US survey) [li]

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Handbreadth to Link (US survey) [li] Conversion Table

Handbreadth	Link (US survey) [li]

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

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Handbreadth to Link (US survey) [li] Conversion Table
Handbreadth	Link (US survey) [li]

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter allows you to translate length values from the traditional anthropic unit called handbreadth into the US survey link, a historical measurement used in land surveying in the United States.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the measurement value in handbreadths
Select 'handbreadth' as the starting unit and 'link (US survey) [li]' as the target unit
Initiate the conversion to see the equivalent length in links
Use the result for interpreting historical data or modern surveying integration

Key Features

Converts traditional handbreadth measurements into link (US survey) units quickly and easily
Supports historical and archaeological measurement interpretations
Useful for land surveying, cadastral mapping, and civil engineering applications
Browser-based tool requiring no installation or advanced knowledge

Examples

5 Handbreadths equals approximately 1.893935606 Links (US survey)
10 Handbreadths converts to about 3.787871212 Links (US survey)

Common Use Cases

Interpreting dimensions recorded in historical or religious texts using handbreadths
Converting legacy measurements for cadastral mapping and boundary descriptions
Using traditional anthropic units in archaeology and museum catalogues
Reconciling land survey records in civil engineering and land transfer projects

Tips & Best Practices

Use the tool to provide approximate equivalences, especially where handbreadth size varies
Apply conversions mainly in contexts involving historical records or US survey data
Avoid using the handbreadth unit for precise scientific or metric measurement needs
Cross-check converted values when integrating into modern engineering projects

Limitations

Handbreadth measurement varies culturally and historically, so conversions are approximate
The link unit is specific to US surveying and may not suit international or metric applications
This tool does not provide standardization beyond given historical definitions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a handbreadth?: A handbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of an adult human hand, used historically rather than as a standardized scientific measurement.
What is the US survey link unit?: The US survey link is a historical length unit equal to one hundredth of a Gunter's chain, used mainly in land surveying in the United States.
Can I use this converter for precise engineering measurements?: Because the handbreadth varies and the link is historical, this conversion serves mainly for approximate and interpretive use rather than precise engineering measurements.

Key Terminology

Handbreadth: A traditional unit of length based on the breadth of an adult human hand, used historically and varying by culture.
Link (US survey): A historical measurement equal to one hundredth of a Gunter's chain, approximately 0.66 feet, used in US land surveying.
Gunter's chain: A surveying measurement equal to 66 US survey feet, subdivided into 100 links.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does a handbreadth roughly represent?

The length of a foot

The width of an adult human hand

The diameter of a coin

In which field is the US survey link commonly used?

Cooking measurements

US land surveying

Astronomical distances

Why are handbreadth conversions only approximate?

Because it is based on a changing size of human hands

Because the link length is unstable

Because conversion formulas are missing

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