Convert Cubit (UK) (cubit (uk)) to Handbreadth (handbreadth) instantly.
About these units
Cubit (UK) (cubit (uk))
The UK cubit is a traditional English unit derived from the length of the forearm, roughly 0.4572 meters (18 inches). It was historically used in construction, land measurement, and woodworking, providing a human-scale reference for practical tasks before standardized units were widely adopted. In England, the cubit also played a role in surveying and architectural planning, often subdivided into smaller units such as hands or fingers for precision. Builders and craftsmen relied on the cubit because it allowed approximate measurement without instruments, a feature especially valuable in early medieval and pre-industrial periods. Although replaced by the foot and yard over time, the cubit remains an important historical reference for studying British architecture, surveying records, and early measurement systems.
Handbreadth (handbreadth)
The handbreadth, roughly 0.1 meter, represents the width of a human hand with fingers extended. It served as a convenient, body-based subunit for cubits and larger measures. Handbreadths were integral to construction, tailoring, and craftwork, allowing precise division of larger units into manageable increments. In ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Hebrew measurement systems, the handbreadth facilitated scaling and proportioning for artisans and builders. Today, the handbreadth is mainly of historical interest, helping reconstruct ancient architectural plans and understand the human-centered logic of early measurement systems.