Vara to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert varas to cubits with our free online length converter.
Vara to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Vara).
- The converted value in Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) 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 Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)
Converting Vara to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Vara = 1.602677 cubitsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 varas: 10 × 1.602677 = 16.02677 cubits
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 Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)?
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 Royal Cubit (Ancient Egyptian: meh nesut) was the primary ancient Egyptian standard unit of linear measure. It was based on the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the extended middle finger, plus the width of the palm. It is considered one of the earliest attested standard units of measurement.
The Royal Cubit was typically divided into 7 palms (shesep), with each palm further divided into 4 digits or fingers (djeba), totaling 28 digits. Its length varied slightly over time and location but is generally accepted to be approximately 52.3 to 52.9 centimeters (about 20.6 to 20.8 inches). A common average value used is 0.524 meters.
A shorter Common Cubit or Short Cubit (Ancient Egyptian: meh sherer) also existed, measuring 6 palms (24 digits), approximately 45 cm.
Note: The Vara is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Vara and Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)
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 Royal Cubit emerged very early in Egyptian history, likely during the Predynastic or Early Dynastic Period (before 3000 BCE). Its standardization was crucial for the large-scale construction projects undertaken by the pharaohs.
- Early Standardization: It represents one of history's first successful attempts at creating and maintaining a standard unit of length, essential for architectural precision and administrative consistency.
- Cubit Rods: Physical standards, known as cubit rods, were created from durable materials like wood, slate, or granite. These rods were often inscribed with subdivisions (palms, digits, and sometimes fractions of digits) and sometimes bore dedications or official insignia. Examples have been found in tombs, such as that of Tutankhamun, and likely served as official benchmarks.
- Monumental Construction: The Royal Cubit was the fundamental unit used in the design and construction of temples, palaces, and most famously, the pyramids. The precise dimensions of structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza reflect careful measurement using this standard.
- Longevity: The Royal Cubit remained the standard measure in Egypt for millennia, from the Old Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period and into Roman times, demonstrating remarkable stability.
Common Uses for varas and cubits
Explore the typical applications for both Vara (imperial/US) and Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (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 cubits
The Royal Cubit was integral to many aspects of ancient Egyptian society:
- Architecture and Construction: Defining building dimensions, column heights, room layouts, and overall structural proportions.
- Land Surveying: Measuring fields for agriculture, taxation, and property boundaries, especially after the annual Nile flood receded.
- Record Keeping: Used in administrative documents, inventories, and calculations.
- Craftsmanship: Measuring materials like stone blocks, timber, rope, and textiles.
- Art and Iconography: Used to establish proportions in statues and reliefs according to canonical rules.
- Religious and Funerary Contexts: Cubit rods were sometimes included in tomb equipment, possibly symbolizing order and correctness or serving a practical purpose in the afterlife.
- Historical Texts: The term "cubit" appears in various ancient texts, including the Bible, though the specific length intended (Egyptian Royal, common, Babylonian, etc.) can be context-dependent.
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 Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
How was the Royal Cubit standardized?
Standardization was achieved through the creation and maintenance of master cubit rods. These physical exemplars, often made of durable stone like granite, were likely kept in major temples or administrative centers. Officials and craftsmen would use copies made from these masters for practical work. The rods themselves were meticulously marked with the primary divisions of 7 palms and 28 digits, often including finer subdivisions. This system ensured consistency across large projects and different regions of the kingdom.
What is the difference between a short cubit and a royal cubit?
The two main cubit measures in ancient Egypt were:
- Short Cubit (meh sherer): Measured 6 palms (24 digits), approximately 44.7 to 45 cm (around 17.6 inches). It represented the distance from the elbow to the tip of the thumb or closed fist. It was likely used for more common, everyday measurements of cloth, goods, or smaller objects.
- Royal Cubit (meh nesut): Measured 7 palms (28 digits), approximately 52.3 to 52.9 cm (around 20.6 inches). It was the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger plus one palm width. This was the official standard used for monumental architecture, land surveying, and significant state projects. It likely held a higher status and was associated with the pharaoh and divine order.
How long was the Royal Cubit?
The Royal Cubit was approximately:
- 0.523 to 0.529 meters (m)
- 52.3 to 52.9 centimeters (cm)
- 20.6 to 20.8 inches (in)
- Roughly 1.72 feet (ft)
A value of 0.524 m is often used as a representative average.
Is the Cubit still used today?
No, the ancient Egyptian Cubit (both Royal and short) is obsolete. It has not been in practical use for centuries, having been replaced by other measurement systems and ultimately by the metric system. Its relevance today is purely historical, archaeological, and academic.
Is the Cubit an SI unit?
No, the Cubit is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, traditional unit of measurement originating in Egypt. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Conversion Table: Vara to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)
| Vara (vara) | Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.603 |
| 5 | 8.013 |
| 10 | 16.027 |
| 25 | 40.067 |
| 50 | 80.134 |
| 100 | 160.268 |
| 500 | 801.338 |
| 1,000 | 1,602.677 |
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)
- Aln (aln)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)