Convert Twip (twip) to Hand (hand) instantly.
About these units
Twip (twip)
A twip is a twentieth of a point, equal to 1/1440 of an inch. This extremely small unit originated in computer typography, particularly in early word processors and GUI layout systems developed by Microsoft and Apple. Because digital screens and software-based layout engines require highly precise internal measurements, twips allowed consistent and resolution-independent positioning of graphical objects and text. Even when the actual pixel density of displays varied, twips provided a device-agnostic coordinate system. Twips remain particularly relevant in Microsoft technologies such as Visual Basic, Windows API interfaces, and the formatting of Office documents. Although ordinary users rarely encounter the term, twips form part of the invisible numerical infrastructure that ensures consistent layout across different computers, printers, and operating systems.
Hand (hand)
The hand is a traditional unit of length equal to 4 inches, historically used to measure the height of horses. Its origins go back thousands of years, when people commonly relied on body-based measurements. While early hands varied from culture to culture, the modern standardized hand—set at exactly 4 inches—was adopted to bring uniformity to equine measurement worldwide. When measuring a horse, the height is taken at the withers, the ridge between the shoulder blades, because this location provides a stable and consistent point unaffected by head movement. Horse heights are often written in a mixed-unit style: for example, "15.3 hands" means 15 hands plus 3 inches, not 15.3 × 4 inches. Though rarely used outside the world of horsemanship, the hand has become deeply embedded in equestrian culture. It provides a system that is intuitive, easy to visualize, and respectful of longstanding tradition. In modern times, even highly scientific equine breeding and veterinary studies continue to quote measurements in hands.