What is a span (cloth)?

A span (cloth) is a traditional unit of length based on the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger of an outstretched hand, commonly about 9 inches.

How long is a barleycorn?

A barleycorn is a historic length unit equal to one third of an inch, originally based on the length of a grain of barley.

Why convert span (cloth) to barleycorn?

Converting span (cloth) to barleycorn helps translate hand-based textile measurements into a finer traditional British unit useful for tailoring, crafts, and shoe sizing.

How to Convert from Span (cloth) to Barleycorn

Learn how to convert measurements from span (cloth), a traditional textile unit, to barleycorn, a historic British length unit used in tailoring and shoe sizing.

Span (cloth)

Barleycorn

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Span (cloth) to Barleycorn Conversion Table

Span (cloth)	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.

Span (cloth) to Barleycorn Conversion Table
Span (cloth)	Barleycorn

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What Is This Tool?

This online converter allows you to change measurements from span (cloth), a traditional hand-based unit used mainly in textiles, into barleycorn, a historic British length unit often applied in shoe sizing and craft measurements.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value in span (cloth) you want to convert
Select span (cloth) as the from-unit and barleycorn as the to-unit
Click the convert button to get the equivalent measurement in barleycorn
Review the results and apply them to your tailoring, crafting, or research needs

Key Features

Converts span (cloth) units into barleycorn with a direct ratio
Browser-based, easy-to-use interface for quick conversions
Supports historical and traditional measurement contexts
Provides examples to guide conversion use

Examples

1 span (cloth) equals 27 barleycorn
2 spans (cloth) equal 54 barleycorn

Common Use Cases

Translating hand-span textile measurements into finely detailed barleycorn units
Working with traditional British shoe sizing where barleycorn units define size increments
Interpreting historical textile trade records and antique garment dimensions
Applying in tailoring or handcraft projects requiring precise, historic measurement units

Tips & Best Practices

Understand that span (cloth) measurements are approximate and may vary by hand size
Use barleycorn for finer resolution in traditional British measurement systems
Consider the historical context when applying these units to avoid modern standardization issues
Double-check conversions when interpreting antiques or historical documents for accuracy

Limitations

Both span (cloth) and barleycorn are non-SI units with regional and historical variations
Span (cloth) is approximate and depends on the user's hand size
Barleycorn is mostly of historical interest and not used in modern official measurements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a span (cloth)?: A span (cloth) is a traditional unit of length based on the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger of an outstretched hand, commonly about 9 inches.
How long is a barleycorn?: A barleycorn is a historic length unit equal to one third of an inch, originally based on the length of a grain of barley.
Why convert span (cloth) to barleycorn?: Converting span (cloth) to barleycorn helps translate hand-based textile measurements into a finer traditional British unit useful for tailoring, crafts, and shoe sizing.

Key Terminology

Span (cloth): A traditional non-SI unit of length based on the distance between the thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand, about 9 inches, used historically in textiles.
Barleycorn: A historic British unit of length equal to one third of an inch, originally defined by the length of a barley grain; used in shoe sizing and traditional measurements.

Quick Knowledge Check

What traditional measurement is a span (cloth) based on?

Length of a grain of barley

Distance between thumb and little finger of an outstretched hand

Width of a fabric bolt

How many barleycorns equal one span (cloth)?

9 barleycorns

27 barleycorns

3 barleycorns

In which system is barleycorn commonly used?

Metric system

Traditional British measurements including shoe sizing

Modern textile manufacturing

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