Convert Cubit (UK) (cubit (uk)) to Ken (ken) 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 Although replaced by the foot and yard over time, the cubit remains an important historical reference for studying British architecture, surveying records, and early measurement systems.
Ken (ken)
The ken is a traditional Japanese unit of length, typically about 1.8 meters, though historically it ranged from 1.6 to 1.9 meters depending on the era and region. The ken is deeply tied to traditional Japanese architecture, especially temple and shrine construction. In classic building design, the ken measured the spacing between pillars in wooden structures. Because Japanese architecture emphasizes modularity and harmonious proportions, the ken allowed builders to create spaces that were both structurally efficient and aesthetically consistent. Many tatami room layouts are also derived from ken-based proportions. Beyond architecture, the ken carried symbolic importance in religious and cultural contexts. Temples were often laid out using ken multiples, reinforcing a sense of order, symmetry, and sacred geometry. Even though modern Japan uses the metric system, the ken persists in the restoration and preservation of historical buildings.