What is a span (cloth)?

A span (cloth) is a traditional length measure based on the distance between the tip of the thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand, used mainly in textile contexts.

What was the arpent used for?

The arpent was a historical French unit primarily employed to measure land lengths and describe property dimensions, especially in colonial regions.

Why might conversions between span (cloth) and arpent be approximate?

Because the span (cloth) varies with individual hand size and arpents had regional differences historically, precise conversions can only be approximate.

How to Convert from Span (cloth) to Arpent

Convert length measurements from the traditional span (cloth) unit to the historical arpent unit used in French land measurement with this easy-to-use online unit converter.

Span (cloth)

Arpent

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Span (cloth) to Arpent Conversion Table

Span (cloth)	Arpent

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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Interval

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

Span (cloth) to Arpent Conversion Table
Span (cloth)	Arpent

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter allows users to transform length values from the span (cloth), a traditional measure based on hand span used in textiles, into arpents, a historical French unit primarily used for land and cadastral measurements.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in span (cloth) units.
Select 'span (cloth)' as the input unit and 'arpent' as the output unit.
Click the convert button to see the length expressed in arpents.

Key Features

Converts known span (cloth) values to arpent using a fixed conversion rate.
Supports historical and textile measurement contexts.
Simple browser-based tool requiring no installation.

Examples

10 span (cloth) converts to 0.0390625 arpent.
100 span (cloth) converts to 0.390625 arpent.

Common Use Cases

Translating small fabric widths or trim measurements into land units for historical textile research.
Interpreting cadastral maps and parcel sizes from French colonial regions like Quebec and Louisiana.
Converting informal hand-held fabric measurements into units useful for legal land surveying and documentation.

Tips & Best Practices

Use this tool primarily for approximate conversions due to variability in the span (cloth) based on hand size.
Cross-check historical arpent values by region or period when applying conversions for land studies.
Employ this conversion for educational, historical, or research purposes rather than precise engineering.

Limitations

The arpent unit varied in size depending on historical region and period, so exact values may differ.
The span (cloth) length is informal and varies slightly with individual hand sizes, affecting conversion precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a span (cloth)?: A span (cloth) is a traditional length measure based on the distance between the tip of the thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand, used mainly in textile contexts.
What was the arpent used for?: The arpent was a historical French unit primarily employed to measure land lengths and describe property dimensions, especially in colonial regions.
Why might conversions between span (cloth) and arpent be approximate?: Because the span (cloth) varies with individual hand size and arpents had regional differences historically, precise conversions can only be approximate.

Key Terminology

Span (cloth): A traditional length based on the hand's span used in textiles, roughly equal to 9 inches or about 22.9 cm.
Arpent: A historical French unit of length mainly used for land and cadastral measurements, varying by region and time.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does the span (cloth) measure represent?

The distance across a piece of fabric width

The distance between thumb and little finger tips on an outstretched hand

The length of a land parcel

In which contexts was the arpent mainly used?

Textile trade measurements

Land measurement and cadastral documentation in French regions

Measuring straps and small pattern pieces

Why is the span (cloth) conversion to arpent not always exact?

Because the arpent is an informal textile measure

Because of variations in hand sizes and historical arpent values

Because the span (cloth) is always exactly 9 inches

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