Convert Handbreadth (handbreadth) to Long Cubit (long cubit) instantly.
About these units
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.
Long Cubit (long cubit)
The long cubit is an extended form of the traditional cubit, often adding an extra palm or handbreadth, resulting in a measurement of approximately 0.525 meters. It was used in ancient Egypt, Israel, and surrounding regions for larger construction projects. This unit allowed architects to scale up structures while maintaining proportionality, particularly in monumental architecture like temples, palaces, and pyramids. Its standardized use enabled consistency across multiple teams of builders working simultaneously on expansive projects. The long cubit also appears in historical and religious texts, giving scholars a reference for interpreting ancient measurements and architectural descriptions.