Finger to Link (Gunter's) Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool

The Finger (sometimes finger's breadth, though this can be confusingly similar to the 'digit') is an archaic English unit of length. Its definition was inconsistent, leading to significant ambiguity. Two primary definitions existed:

1. As 1/8th of a yard: This was a common definition, equating the finger to:

   • 4.5 inches (in)
   • 1/2 of a quarter-yard (or "quarter")
   • 0.1143 meters (m)
   • 11.43 centimeters (cm)

2. As 1/16th of a yard: This definition made the finger identical to another unit called the nail, equating it to:

   • 2.25 inches (in)
   • 0.05715 meters (m)
   • 5.715 centimeters (cm)

The term likely originated from anthropomorphic measurement but became tied to fractions of the standard yard, particularly in the context of measuring cloth. It is distinct from, and generally longer than, the unit called a digit (typically ~0.75 inches).

The finger was used historically in England, primarily from the medieval period into the early modern era. Its main application was in the measurement of cloth, alongside other specialized units like the nail (often 2.25 inches) and the ell (often 45 inches).

The existence of multiple definitions (4.5 inches vs. 2.25 inches) highlights the lack of strict standardization for many older units. The 2.25-inch finger was identical to the nail, suggesting the terms might have been used interchangeably in some contexts or that one definition arose from confusion with the other.

Compared to more fundamental units like the inch, foot, yard, or even the digit and palm, the "finger" as a distinct unit (especially the 4.5-inch version) appears less frequently in historical records. Its usage declined significantly with the standardization of the Imperial system (which favored inches and yards) and the later adoption of the metric system. It is now entirely obsolete.

The finger is obsolete and has no modern practical application. Its relevance is primarily historical:

• Historical Cloth Trade: Measurements in "fingers" might be encountered in older English documents, inventories, or tailor's records related to textiles. Understanding its potential ambiguity (4.5 vs 2.25 inches) is crucial.
• Understanding Historical Units: Studying the finger helps illustrate the complexity and variability of pre-standardized measurement systems and the specific units used in the textile industry.
• Rare & Obsolete: It was never as widespread or consistently defined as units like the inch, foot, or yard.