Shaku (Japanese) to Finger Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert shaku to fingers with our free online length converter.
Shaku (Japanese) to Finger Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Shaku (Japanese)).
- The converted value in Finger 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 Shaku (Japanese) to Finger
Converting Shaku (Japanese) to Finger involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Shaku (Japanese) = 2.650919 fingersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 shaku: 10 × 2.650919 = 26.50919 fingers
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 Shaku (Japanese) and a Finger?
The Shaku (尺) is a traditional Japanese unit of length, forming a fundamental part of the traditional Japanese system of weights and measures known as the Shakkanhō (尺貫法). It is roughly equivalent to the English foot, although slightly shorter in its modern standardized form.
The Shaku is traditionally subdivided and multiplied decimally:
- 1 Jō (丈) = 10 Shaku
- 1 Shaku (尺) = 10 Sun (寸 - Japanese inch)
- 1 Sun (寸) = 10 Bu (分 - Japanese line)
There were historically different types of shaku, most notably the standard kanejaku (曲尺) used in carpentry and the longer kujirajaku (鯨尺) used for measuring cloth. Unless otherwise specified, "shaku" usually refers to the kanejaku.
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:
-
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)
-
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).
Note: The Shaku (Japanese) is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Finger belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Shaku (Japanese) and Finger
The Shaku originated from the Chinese Chi (尺), introduced to Japan likely between the 3rd and 6th centuries AD. Like its Chinese counterpart, the length of the Shaku varied considerably across different historical periods and regions in Japan.
- Early Adoption: Early Japanese measurements were heavily influenced by Chinese standards, but the length of the Shaku began to diverge over time.
- Edo Period (1603–1868): Different standards coexisted, including the kanejaku (carpenter's shaku) and the kujirajaku (cloth shaku, literally "whale shaku," possibly referring to rulers made from whale baleen). The kanejaku became the more common standard for general measurement.
- Meiji Restoration (1868 onwards): Japan began modernizing and standardizing its systems. In 1891, the Weights and Measures Act defined the standard Shaku (kanejaku) legally in relation to the metric system as exactly 10/33 of a meter. This aimed to provide a precise conversion factor while preserving the traditional unit. The kujirajaku was defined as 1.25 times the kanejaku (i.e., 12.5/33 of a meter).
- Metrication: Japan officially adopted the metric system in 1951, and its use became mandatory for most official and commercial transactions by 1966. However, the Shaku and other Shakkanhō units remain in use in specific traditional fields.
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.
Common Uses for shaku and fingers
Explore the typical applications for both Shaku (Japanese) (imperial/US) and Finger (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for shaku
While the metric system is standard in Japan, the Shaku persists in several areas:
- Traditional Japanese Architecture and Carpentry: The kanejaku is still widely used for measurements in building temples, shrines, traditional houses, and making furniture. Architectural modules like the ken (間) are often based on the Shaku. Japanese woodworking tools are often sized or marked in Shaku and Sun.
- Kimono and Traditional Clothing: The kujirajaku is the standard unit for measuring cloth width (tanmono) and dimensions when making kimonos and yukatas.
- Traditional Crafts: Used in making items like tatami mats, shōji screens, and other traditional crafts where historical dimensions are important.
- Musical Instruments: The length of traditional Japanese instruments, notably the shakuhachi (尺八) flute, is measured in Shaku and Sun (its name literally means "1.8 shaku").
- Martial Arts: Some traditional martial arts (koryū budō) may use Shaku-based measurements for weapon lengths (e.g., jō, bō) or stance dimensions.
- Gardening and Landscaping: Traditional Japanese garden design sometimes employs Shaku-based proportions.
- Historical and Cultural Context: Essential for understanding dimensions in historical texts, art, and artifacts.
Common Uses for fingers
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
How long is a Shaku?
The length depends on the context (historical vs. modern, type of shaku):
- Modern Standardized Kanejaku (since 1891):
- Exactly 10/33 meters (m)
- Approximately 0.30303 meters
- Approximately 30.303 centimeters (cm)
- Approximately 11.93 inches (in)
- Approximately 0.994 feet (ft)
- Modern Standardized Kujirajaku:
- Exactly 12.5/33 meters (m) (1.25 times the kanejaku)
- Approximately 0.37879 meters
- Approximately 37.879 centimeters (cm)
- Approximately 14.91 inches (in)
- Approximately 1.243 feet (ft)
- Historical Shaku: Varied significantly, often differing from the modern standard.
What are the subdivisions and multiples of the Shaku?
The system is decimal:
- Subdivisions: 1 Shaku = 10 Sun (寸); 1 Sun = 10 Bu (分).
- Multiples: 1 Jō (丈) = 10 Shaku. Another related unit is the Ken (間), traditionally 6 Shaku, though its length could vary.
Is it the same as the Chinese Chi?
No. Although the Japanese Shaku originated from the Chinese Chi (both written with the character 尺), they evolved independently and have different standardized lengths today.
- Modern Japanese Shaku (kanejaku): 10/33 meters (≈ 0.303 m)
- Modern Chinese Chi: 1/3 meter (≈ 0.333 m) The Shaku is noticeably shorter than the modern Chi.
What is the difference between kanejaku and kujirajaku?
They are two distinct traditional Shaku units:
- Kanejaku (曲尺): The "carpenter's shaku," used for general measurement, architecture, and woodworking. Standardized at 10/33 meters. This is the default meaning of "Shaku."
- Kujirajaku (鯨尺): The "cloth shaku" or "whale shaku," used primarily for measuring cloth, especially for kimonos. It is longer than the kanejaku, standardized at 12.5/33 meters (exactly 1.25 times the kanejaku).
Is the Shaku an SI unit?
No, the Shaku is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Japanese unit belonging to the Shakkanhō system. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Shaku still used today?
Yes, although Japan officially uses the metric system (SI units) for most purposes, the Shaku (both kanejaku and kujirajaku) continues to be used in specific traditional fields:
- Traditional architecture and carpentry.
- Kimono making and textile measurement.
- Other traditional crafts.
- Musical instrument making (e.g., shakuhachi).
- Historical and cultural studies. It is generally not used in everyday commerce or scientific contexts.
About Finger (finger)
How long is a Finger?
The length of a finger was not consistently defined. The two most common historical definitions in England were:
- 4.5 inches (11.43 cm), equal to 1/8th of a yard.
- 2.25 inches (5.715 cm), equal to 1/16th of a yard (and identical to the unit called a 'nail'). Context is essential when encountering this unit in historical texts.
Is a Finger the same as a Digit?
No. Although both terms relate to the human finger, they represented different historical units of length.
- The Digit (or fingerbreadth) was typically much shorter, around 0.75 inches (approx. 1.9 cm), representing the width of a finger.
- The Finger was significantly longer, either 4.5 inches or 2.25 inches, likely derived as a fraction of a yard rather than directly from finger anatomy in later usage.
What is the relationship between a Finger and a Nail?
The unit called a Nail was commonly defined as 1/16th of a yard (2.25 inches). Therefore:
- One definition of the Finger (2.25 inches) was identical to the Nail.
- The other common definition of the Finger (4.5 inches) was twice the length of a Nail.
Is the Finger an SI unit?
No, the finger is not an SI unit. It is an archaic, non-standardized unit primarily used historically in England. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Finger still used?
No, the finger as a unit of length is completely obsolete and is not used in any modern standard, scientific, or commercial measurements. Its relevance is purely historical.
Where does the name 'Finger' come from?
The name undoubtedly originates from the human finger. However, while the digit unit directly related to finger width, the 'Finger' unit (especially the 4.5-inch version) seems to have become a conventional term for a specific fraction (1/8th or 1/16th) of a yard, particularly in cloth measurement, losing its direct anatomical connection.
Conversion Table: Shaku (Japanese) to Finger
| Shaku (Japanese) (shaku) | Finger (finger) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.651 |
| 5 | 13.255 |
| 10 | 26.509 |
| 25 | 66.273 |
| 50 | 132.546 |
| 100 | 265.092 |
| 500 | 1,325.459 |
| 1,000 | 2,650.919 |
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)
- Ell (ell)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- 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)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)