Klafter to Ell Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert klafter to ells with our free online length converter.
Klafter to Ell Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Klafter).
- The converted value in Ell will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Klafter to Ell
Converting Klafter to Ell involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Klafter = 1.65923 ells
Example Calculation:
Convert 10 klafter: 10 × 1.65923 = 16.5923 ells
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
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What is a Klafter and a Ell?
The Klafter is a historical unit of length originating from Central Europe, particularly prominent in German-speaking regions like Austria, Bavaria, Prussia, and Switzerland. It is conceptually similar to the fathom, often defined by the span of a person's outstretched arms.
While its exact length varied significantly by region and time, a widely recognized standard, especially from the Austrian Empire, defines the Klafter as 6 Vienna feet (Wiener Fuß). This equates to approximately:
- 1.8965 meters (m)
- 6.222 feet (ft) (using the Vienna foot of ~0.31608 m)
The Klafter was also used as a unit of area (Quadratklafter or square Klafter) and volume (Kubikklafter or cubic Klafter), especially for measuring firewood (often called a Raummeter or Ster in this context, though volumes could vary). This page focuses on the linear Klafter.
The Ell is an historical unit of length, primarily used for measuring cloth and textiles. Its exact length varied considerably depending on the region, country, and time period, making it a non-standardized unit overall, though often legally defined within specific jurisdictions.
It is generally understood to have originated from the length of the arm or forearm, similar to the cubit. The name itself derives from the Proto-Germanic word *alinō, meaning "forearm".
Common historical values demonstrate this variability:
- English Ell: Traditionally 45 inches (1.25 yards, exactly 1.143 meters). This was the most common ell in England, particularly for measuring imported Flemish cloth.
- Scottish Ell: Approximately 37.06 inches (about 0.941 meters), based on the standard Scottish inch.
- Flemish (or Brabant) Ell: Approximately 27 inches (about 0.686 meters). Widely used in the Low Countries, a major center for textile production.
- French Ell (Aune): Varied, but often around 46.77 inches (about 1.188 meters) in Paris. The aune itself had different lengths in different French regions.
- Polish Ell (Łokieć): Approximately 22.7 inches (about 0.576 meters).
- Swedish Ell (Aln): Approximately 23.3 inches (about 0.593 meters).
Note: The Klafter is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Ell belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Klafter and Ell
The term "Klafter" likely derives from Old High German klāftra, related to the act of embracing or grasping, reflecting its origin as an anthropometric unit based on arm span.
- Regional Variations: Before widespread standardization and metrication, the length of the Klafter differed across various German states and Swiss cantons. For example, the Prussian Klafter was slightly different from the Austrian one.
- Standardization Efforts: Attempts were made to standardize measures, with the Austrian system (based on the Wiener Fuß) becoming influential. The definition of 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (feet) = 72 Zoll (inches) was common, but the length of the Fuß itself varied.
- Dual Use (Length & Volume): The Klafter was notably used for measuring stacked firewood. A Klafter Holz typically referred to a stack of wood 1 Klafter high, 1 Klafter wide, and a specific log length (often 3 or 4 feet), representing a volume unit.
- Metrication: The Klafter became obsolete following the adoption of the metric system across Central Europe, primarily during the latter half of the 19th century (e.g., Germany 1872, Austria 1876).
The ell was a fundamental unit for the textile trade across Europe, flourishing from the medieval period through the early modern era and into the 19th century. Its origins likely lie in anthropomorphic measurements related to the arm, similar to the cubit.
The lack of a universal standard led to numerous regional variations. Different cities, guilds, or nations established their own "standard" ell, often physically represented by a metal rod kept by authorities. This variation could sometimes be a source of trade disputes but also reflected local manufacturing and trade practices.
The English ell of 45 inches (longer than the standard English yard of 36 inches) became particularly well-established, possibly to account for shrinkage or to provide a customary "bonus" measure when selling cloth.
With the rise of standardized measurement systems like the Imperial system (promoting the yard) and especially the Metric system (introducing the meter), the ell gradually became obsolete during the 18th and 19th centuries. Legal reforms in many countries formally abolished it in favor of metric units.
Common Uses for klafter and ells
Explore the typical applications for both Klafter (imperial/US) and Ell (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for klafter
Historically, the Klafter served various measurement needs:
- Forestry: Measuring timber lengths and, crucially, the volume of stacked firewood.
- Mining: Measuring the depth of shafts and the length of tunnels.
- Construction: Measuring building dimensions, rope lengths, and materials.
- Surveying: Measuring land distances and areas (Quadratklafter), although units like the Ruthe (rod) were also common for land.
- Nautical: Sometimes used similarly to a fathom for measuring water depth or rope lengths, though less common than the English fathom in maritime contexts.
Today, its use is confined to historical records, architectural studies, forestry history, and understanding old land deeds or documents.
Common Uses for ells
The ell is now obsolete but was historically crucial for:
- Textile Trade: Its primary and defining use was measuring and selling lengths of cloth (wool, linen, silk, etc.). Cloth was often priced and sold "by the ell".
- Tailoring and Dressmaking: Used by artisans creating garments.
- Mercantile Records: Appears frequently in historical merchant accounts, inventories, customs documents, and trade records. Understanding the local ell is vital for interpreting these economic historical sources.
- Land Measurement (Rarely): In some specific, localized contexts, an ell might have been used for land, but this was uncommon compared to units like the rod or chain.
- Literature and Culture: Referenced in historical texts, literature, and idioms (e.g., "Give him an inch, and he'll take an ell").
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Klafter (klafter)
How long is a Klafter?
The length varied, but the most common standard, based on the Austrian system, is:
- Exactly 6 Vienna Feet (Wiener Fuß)
- Approximately 1.8965 meters
- Approximately 6.222 feet
Other historical values might range roughly from 1.7 to 1.95 meters depending on the specific regional "foot" standard used.
Is a Klafter the same as a fathom?
Conceptually, they are very similar, both derived from the span of outstretched arms. Numerically, they are close but distinct.
- Klafter (Austrian): ~1.8965 meters / ~6.222 feet
- Fathom (International): Exactly 1.8288 meters / 6 feet
So, the common Austrian Klafter was slightly longer than the standard fathom.
What were the main related units in the Austrian system?
The Klafter was part of a system:
- 1 Klafter = 6 Fuß (Vienna Foot or Wiener Schuh)
- 1 Fuß = 12 Zoll (Vienna Inch or Wiener Zoll)
- 1 Zoll ≈ 2.634 cm / 1.037 inches
- 1 Fuß ≈ 31.608 cm / 12.444 inches / 1.037 feet
Where was the Klafter primarily used?
It was used across Central Europe, notably in:
- Austria-Hungary
- Southern German states (Bavaria, Württemberg)
- Prussia (with a slightly different length)
- Switzerland
- Other parts of the Holy Roman Empire and subsequent German Confederation.
Is the Klafter still used today?
No, the Klafter is obsolete for practical measurements. It was replaced by the meter during metrication in the 19th century. Its relevance is purely historical.
How does a Klafter compare to a meter or foot?
- A Klafter (~1.9 m) is almost twice as long as a meter. (1 Klafter ≈ 1.9 m)
- A Klafter (~6.2 ft) is significantly longer than a standard foot. (1 Klafter ≈ 6.2 ft)
Is the Klafter an SI unit?
No, the Klafter is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from historical Central European measurement systems. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
About Ell (ell)
How long is an Ell?
There is no single fixed length for the ell; it varied significantly by location and time. Some key examples include:
- English Ell: 45 inches (1.143 m)
- Scottish Ell: ~37 inches (~0.94 m)
- Flemish Ell: ~27 inches (~0.69 m)
- French Aune (Ell): ~47 inches (~1.19 m) Always check the context (region and era) when encountering a measurement in ells. The English ell of 45 inches is often assumed in English-language historical contexts unless otherwise specified.
How does the Ell compare to a Yard?
The English ell (45 inches) is exactly 1.25 times longer than the standard yard (36 inches). However, other ells could be shorter (like the Flemish ell) or have different relationships to the local yard equivalent.
Is the Ell related to the Elbow or Arm?
Yes, the name "ell" derives from Proto-Germanic *alinō ("forearm"), cognate with Latin ulna and Greek ōlénē, all referring to the forearm or elbow. This strongly suggests an origin based on the length of the human arm, similar to the cubit. However, the standardized lengths adopted for trade were often considerably longer than a literal forearm.
Why did the Ell length vary so much?
The variation stemmed from:
- Lack of Universal Standards: Before the metric system, measurement standards were highly localized.
- Regional Customs: Different areas developed their own traditional lengths based on local needs and practices.
- Trade Protectionism: Sometimes, variations were maintained deliberately by guilds or cities.
- Evolution Over Time: The definition could change even within the same region over centuries.
Is the Ell an SI unit?
No, the ell is not part of the International System of Units (SI). It is an historical, customary unit belonging to various pre-metric systems. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Ell still used today?
No, the ell is obsolete and is not used for any standard commercial, scientific, or practical measurements today. Its use was superseded primarily by the yard (in Imperial/US customary systems) and the meter (in the metric system). Its relevance is now purely historical.
Conversion Table: Klafter to Ell
Klafter (klafter) | Ell (ell) |
---|---|
1 | 1.659 |
5 | 8.296 |
10 | 16.592 |
25 | 41.481 |
50 | 82.962 |
100 | 165.923 |
500 | 829.615 |
1,000 | 1,659.23 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)