Convert Cubit (UK) (cubit (uk)) to Reed (reed) 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 Although replaced by the foot and yard over time, the cubit remains an important historical reference for studying British architecture, surveying records, and early measurement systems.
Reed (reed)
The reed is a smaller unit than the long reed, typically about 1 cubit, and was widely used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and biblical times. It functioned as a standard measure for construction, religious architecture, and land surveys. Reeds were particularly useful in field work, where repetitive human-scale measurements could be performed quickly. They also served as a practical calibration tool for larger units like rods, chains, and long reeds. The reed is frequently mentioned in ancient texts, highlighting its role in the organization of public works, the construction of sacred buildings, and the measurement of land.