Sajene to Pace Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert sajenes to paces with our free online length converter.
Sajene to Pace Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Sajene).
- The converted value in Pace 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 Sajene to Pace
Converting Sajene to Pace involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Sajene = 2.8 pacesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 sajenes: 10 × 2.8 = 28 paces
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.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Sajene and a Pace?
The Sajene (Russian: сажень or саже́нь, IPA: [ˈsaʐɨnʲ] or [sɐˈʐɛnʲ]) is an historical Russian unit of length. It was a fundamental unit in the traditional Russian system of measures.
The standard or "state" Sajene (kazyonnaya sazhen) was legally defined as:
- 3 Arshins (another Russian unit)
- 7 English Feet (after Peter the Great's reforms aligned some Russian units with English standards)
- 84 English Inches
This equates to:
- Exactly 2.1336 meters (m)
- Exactly 7 feet (ft)
- Exactly 84 inches (in)
The Sajene was subdivided as follows:
- 1 Sajene = 3 Arshins
- 1 Arshin = 16 Vershoks (meaning 1 Sajene = 48 Vershoks)
The Pace is a unit of length based on the distance covered by a human step. Its definition is highly variable and depends heavily on context, often referring to either a single step or a double step.
- Single Step Pace: Often informally estimated as the distance from the heel of one foot to the heel of the next foot in a normal walking stride. Common estimations range from 2.5 to 3 feet (ft) or approximately 0.75 to 0.9 meters (m). This is sometimes simply called a 'step' or 'stride'.
- Double Step Pace (Roman Pace): Historically, the most significant definition was the Roman passus, which measured the distance from the heel of one foot to the point where the same foot touches the ground again (i.e., two steps). This was standardized as 5 Roman feet, roughly 1.48 meters or 4.86 feet.
Due to its inherent variability and dependence on individual gait and terrain, the pace is not a standardized unit for precise measurement.
Note: The Sajene is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Pace belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Sajene and Pace
The Sajene was used in Russia for centuries, likely originating from an anthropomorphic measurement related to the span of outstretched arms or a person's reach, similar to the fathom in other systems. The name itself may derive from Slavic roots related to reaching or stretching.
While informal variations existed, the unit was standardized over time, notably under Peter the Great (reigned 1682–1725), who aligned the Arshin with 28 English inches, thereby fixing the standard Sajene at exactly 7 English feet (2.1336 m).
The Sajene remained a primary unit for larger measurements in Russia until the metric system was adopted following the Russian Revolution. The metric system became compulsory in the USSR on January 1, 1925, rendering the Sajene and other traditional units obsolete for official use.
The pace is one of the most ancient and intuitive units of length, used across numerous cultures due to its direct link to human locomotion.
- Ancient Rome: The Romans formalized the passus (double step) as 5 pedes (Roman feet). This unit was fundamental to their system, with 1000 passus forming the Roman mile (mille passus), which heavily influenced the definition of the mile in later systems.
- Military Usage: Throughout history, armies used paces (both single and double) for marching cadence, estimating distances, and measuring fortifications or camp layouts. Standardized step lengths were often drilled.
- Informal Measurement: Before widespread standardized rulers and tapes, pacing was a common way for individuals to estimate lengths and distances for land, construction, or travel.
The pace gradually fell out of official use with the rise of standardized systems like the Imperial system (feet, yards) and the Metric system (meters), which offered greater precision and consistency.
Common Uses for sajenes and paces
Explore the typical applications for both Sajene (imperial/US) and Pace (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for sajenes
The Sajene is now obsolete but was historically essential in various fields in Russia:
- Land Surveying: Measuring land plots, distances, and property boundaries.
- Architecture and Construction: Specifying dimensions of buildings, structures, and materials like timber.
- Shipbuilding: Measuring lengths related to ship design and construction.
- Rope Making: Measuring lengths of rope.
- Cartography: Used in mapmaking and geographical measurements.
- Folk Measurement: Appeared in everyday language and descriptions of distance or height.
Common Uses for paces
While obsolete for official measurements, the pace still finds some use:
- Rough Estimation: Used informally to get a quick approximation of distances, such as the length of a room, a garden plot, or walking distances in hiking or orienteering.
- Military & Marching Bands: Concepts related to pace length and cadence remain relevant in drilling and formation marching.
- Historical Context: Understanding the pace (especially the Roman passus) is crucial for interpreting historical texts, military accounts, and measurements related to ancient structures or distances.
- Exercise & Fitness: Step counters (pedometers) measure activity in terms of steps, which are essentially single paces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Sajene (sajene)
How long is a Sajene?
The standard Russian Sajene (kazyonnaya sazhen) is exactly:
- 2.1336 meters
- 7 English feet
- 84 English inches
- 3 Arshins
What were the subdivisions of the Sajene?
The Sajene was divided into smaller traditional Russian units:
- 1 Sajene = 3 Arshins
- 1 Arshin = 16 Vershoks
- Therefore, 1 Sajene = 48 Vershoks.
Were there different types of Sajene?
Yes, besides the standard "state" Sajene (7 feet), two other common variations based on body measurements existed historically, though their lengths were less standardized:
- Makhovaya Sajene (Маховая сажень - "swinging" or "sweeping" Sajene): The distance between the fingertips of a person's outstretched arms, roughly equivalent to a fathom (approx. 1.76 meters or 5.77 feet).
- Kosaya Sajene (Косая сажень - "oblique" Sajene): The distance from the toes of one foot to the fingertips of the opposite arm raised diagonally upwards (approx. 2.48 meters or 8.14 feet). This was often used idiomatically to describe someone tall and broad-shouldered.
The kazyonnaya sazhen (7 feet) was the official standard used for legal and technical purposes.
How does the Sajene compare to a Meter or Fathom?
- 1 Sajene = 2.1336 meters
- 1 Meter ≈ 0.4687 Sajenes
- The standard Sajene (2.1336 m / 7 ft) is slightly longer than the standard English fathom (1.8288 m / 6 ft). The Makhovaya Sajene (~1.76 m) was closer in concept and length to the fathom.
Is the Sajene an SI unit?
No, the Sajene is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from the historical Russian system of measurement. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Sajene still used today?
No, the Sajene is obsolete and not used in modern measurements in Russia or elsewhere. It was officially replaced by the metric system in 1925. Its significance today is purely historical, found in old texts, documents, literature, and descriptions of historical sites or objects.
About Pace (pace)
How long is a pace?
There is no single standard length for a "pace".
- An informal single step pace is often estimated at 2.5 to 3 feet (0.75 to 0.9 meters).
- The historical Roman pace (passus) was a double step, standardized at 5 Roman feet (approx. 1.48 meters or 4.86 feet). Always clarify which definition is being used.
What is the difference between a pace and a Roman pace?
A "pace" is ambiguous. It can mean a single step (variable length, ~2.5-3 ft) or a double step. The Roman pace (passus) specifically refers to the double step standardized at 5 Roman feet (~1.48 m).
What is the difference between a pace and a step or stride?
Often, "step" or "stride" refers to the distance covered by a single movement of one foot forward (heel-to-heel or toe-to-toe). "Pace" can mean this, but it can also refer to the Roman double step (passus). The ambiguity makes "step" or "stride" slightly clearer when referring to a single foot movement.
How many paces are in a mile?
This depends on the definition of "pace":
- Using the Roman pace (passus): The Roman mile (mille passus) was defined as 1000 paces (double steps).
- Using an informal single step pace: If we estimate a single step pace at 2.5 feet, a statute mile (5280 feet) would contain 5280 / 2.5 = 2112 single paces. If estimated at 3 feet, it would be 5280 / 3 = 1760 single paces. This is highly approximate.
Is the pace an SI unit?
No, the pace is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, non-standardized, anthropomorphic unit. The SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the pace still used today?
The pace is not used for any official, scientific, or trade measurements today due to its lack of standardization. Its use is confined to informal distance estimation, historical study, and contexts like military drilling or fitness tracking (as steps).
Conversion Table: Sajene to Pace
| Sajene (sajene) | Pace (pace) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.8 |
| 5 | 14 |
| 10 | 28 |
| 25 | 70 |
| 50 | 140 |
| 100 | 280 |
| 500 | 1,400 |
| 1,000 | 2,800 |
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)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- 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)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)