Vara to Aln Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert varas to alnar with our free online length converter.
Vara to Aln Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Vara).
- The converted value in Aln 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 Vara to Aln
Converting Vara to Aln involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Vara = 1.411111 alnarExample Calculation:
Convert 10 varas: 10 × 1.411111 = 14.11111 alnar
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 Vara and a Aln?
The Vara (Spanish and Portuguese for "rod" or "pole") is a traditional Iberian unit of length, roughly comparable to the English yard. Its precise length varied significantly depending on the region and historical period, reflecting local customs and lack of centralized standardization before the metric era.
Commonly cited values include:
- Castilian Vara (Vara de Castilla): Approximately 83.59 centimeters (cm) or 32.91 inches (in). This was arguably the most influential standard in Spain and many of its colonies.
- Portuguese Vara: Typically longer, around 110 cm or 43.3 inches.
- Texas Vara: Legally defined in Texas as exactly 33 1/3 inches (approximately 84.67 cm).
Other regional variations existed throughout Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and other territories under their influence.
The Aln (Swedish), Alen (Danish and Norwegian) was a traditional Scandinavian unit of length, analogous to the English ell or cubit. Its length varied significantly by region and time but was generally based on the length of the forearm.
Key standardized or common values include:
- Swedish Aln: Officially standardized (as the Rydaholmsaln) in 1665 and confirmed in 1735 as exactly 2 Swedish fot (feet). This equates to approximately 0.5938 meters (or 59.38 cm / 23.38 inches).
- Danish Alen: The common standard (Sjællandsk alen) was 2 Danish fod (feet), equating to approximately 0.6277 meters (or 62.77 cm / 24.71 inches).
- Norwegian Alen: Often followed the Danish standard due to political union. After 1824, it was legally defined as 2 Norwegian fot, equating to 0.6275 meters (or 62.75 cm / 24.70 inches), very close to the Danish value.
The Aln/Alen was typically subdivided into 4 kvarter (quarters).
Note: The Vara is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Aln belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Vara and Aln
The Vara likely originated from Roman units like the virga and became a fundamental measure in Spain and Portugal during the Middle Ages. Its use spread extensively through colonization from the 15th century onwards, becoming the standard for land measurement and trade in vast territories across the Americas (including areas now part of the US like Texas, California, Florida), Africa, and Asia.
Despite attempts to standardize, such as establishing the Vara de Castilla (sometimes associated with Burgos), enforcement across diverse and distant colonies was inconsistent. This led to the development and persistence of numerous local Varas, often differing slightly based on regional decrees or customary usage. For example:
- The Mexican Vara was later standardized at approximately 83.8 cm, very close to the Castilian.
- The Texas Vara was given its specific legal definition (33 1/3 inches) which remains crucial for interpreting historical land grants in the state.
The adoption of the metric system, beginning in the 19th century, gradually led to the official obsolescence of the Vara in most countries. However, its historical importance, particularly in land records, ensures its continued relevance.
The Aln/Alen originates from the Proto-Germanic word for forearm (alinō), reflecting its basis as an anthropomorphic unit, similar to the cubit in other cultures. For centuries, its length was inconsistent, varying between regions, cities, and trades within Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.
- Early Variations: Numerous local standards existed, often based on physical rods kept by authorities or guilds.
- Standardization Efforts:
- Sweden: Attempts at standardization culminated in the adoption of the Rydaholmsaln (based on a specific iron standard bar from Rydaholm church) in 1665, defined as 2 fot. This standard (≈0.5938 m) became mandatory nationwide in 1735.
- Denmark & Norway: The Sjællandsk alen (Zealand ell, ≈0.6277 m) became the dominant standard in Denmark and, consequently, in Norway during their union. Norway later formally adopted a slightly different value (≈0.6275 m) based on its own fot definition in 1824.
- Metrication: The Aln/Alen was officially replaced by the metric system during the 19th and early 20th centuries: Norway in 1875, Sweden in 1889, and Denmark in 1907.
Common Uses for varas and alnar
Explore the typical applications for both Vara (imperial/US) and Aln (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for varas
Historically, the Vara was a primary unit for:
- Land Surveying: Measuring property boundaries, town lots, roads, and vast land grants. It is frequently encountered in historical deeds and surveys throughout Latin America and the Southwestern United States.
- Trade and Commerce: Measuring textiles (cloth), rope, lumber, and other goods sold by length.
- Architecture and Construction: Laying out building foundations, measuring walls, and quantifying construction materials.
- Agriculture: Measuring field dimensions or distances for planting.
Its use today is almost entirely historical or related to the interpretation of old documents and land titles.
Common Uses for alnar
Historically, the Aln/Alen was a fundamental unit for everyday trade and craft:
- Textiles: Its most prominent use was measuring cloth (wool, linen, silk). Standardization was often driven by the textile trade.
- Timber and Lumber: Measuring lengths of wood.
- Rope and Cordage: Measuring lengths of rope.
- Construction: Used in building measurements, though perhaps less formally than in trade.
- General Trade: Measuring various goods sold by length.
It was less commonly used for land surveying, where units like the stång (rod) or mil (mile) were preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Vara (vara)
Why does the length of a Vara vary so much?
The variation stems from several factors:
- Long History: The unit was used for centuries before rigorous international standards like the metric system existed.
- Decentralized Standards: Measurement standards were often set locally or regionally (by kingdom, province, or even city) rather than being effectively enforced across entire empires.
- Physical Standards: Early standards were often based on physical rods, which could vary slightly or degrade over time.
- Customary Usage: Local trade practices and customs often solidified specific lengths for the Vara in different areas. While influential standards like the Castilian Vara existed, practical enforcement across vast colonial territories was difficult, allowing regional variations to flourish and persist.
Is the Vara still used today?
Officially, the Vara has been superseded by the metric system in Spain, Portugal, and all Latin American countries. However, it remains highly relevant in specific contexts:
- Historical Land Records: It is essential for interpreting historical land surveys, deeds, and grants, particularly in Texas, California, New Mexico, Florida, and throughout Latin America. Legal property descriptions may still reference original measurements in Varas.
- Historical Research: Understanding the Vara is crucial for historians studying architecture, urban planning, trade, or agriculture in regions formerly under Spanish or Portuguese rule.
- Cultural Context: While not used for practical measurement, the term might appear in historical literature, place names, or cultural discussions. In very rare, localized instances, informal references might persist among older generations.
How long is a Vara?
There is no single universal length. You must consider the specific regional and historical context. Key values include:
- Castilian Vara (Spain): ~83.59 cm / ~32.91 inches
- Portuguese Vara: ~110 cm / ~43.3 inches
- Mexican Vara: ~83.8 cm / ~33.0 inches
- Texas Vara (USA): Exactly 33 1/3 inches / ~84.67 cm
How does the Vara compare to a Yard or Meter?
- Most common Varas (Castilian, Mexican, Texas) are shorter than both a meter (100 cm) and an English yard (91.44 cm / 36 inches).
- 1 Meter ≈ 1.18 to 1.20 Varas (Castilian/Texas)
- 1 Yard ≈ 1.09 to 1.10 Varas (Castilian/Texas)
- The Portuguese Vara (~1.1 m) is longer than both a meter and a yard.
- 1 Meter ≈ 0.91 Portuguese Varas
- 1 Yard ≈ 0.83 Portuguese Varas
Is the Vara an SI unit?
No, the Vara is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit belonging to the historical Spanish and Portuguese systems of measurement. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
About Aln (aln)
How long is an Aln/Alen?
There isn't one single value, as it depended on the country and era. The main official standards were:
- Swedish Aln: ~0.594 meters / ~23.4 inches
- Danish Alen: ~0.628 meters / ~24.7 inches
- Norwegian Alen: ~0.628 meters / ~24.7 inches (very close to Danish)
Always consider the context (Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian) when encountering this unit in historical documents.
What's the difference between the Aln in different countries?
The primary difference was length:
- The Swedish Aln (≈59.4 cm) was noticeably shorter than the Danish and Norwegian Alen (both ≈62.8 cm).
- All were typically defined as 2 local fot (feet), but the length of the fot itself varied between the countries.
Is the Aln related to the English Ell?
Yes, both the Aln/Alen and the English Ell are historical units of length derived from the concept of the cubit or forearm length (Latin ulna). However, their standardized lengths differed significantly. The most common English Ell was 45 inches (1.143 m), much longer than any standard Scandinavian Aln/Alen.
Is the Aln/Alen still used today?
No, the Aln/Alen is obsolete. It was officially replaced by the meter in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway during the metrication process in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its use today is purely historical.
Is the Aln an SI unit?
No, the Aln/Alen is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from the historical Scandinavian systems of measurement. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Conversion Table: Vara to Aln
| Vara (vara) | Aln (aln) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.411 |
| 5 | 7.056 |
| 10 | 14.111 |
| 25 | 35.278 |
| 50 | 70.556 |
| 100 | 141.111 |
| 500 | 705.556 |
| 1,000 | 1,411.111 |
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)
- 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)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)