Vara to Li (Chinese) Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert varas to li with our free online length converter.
Vara to Li (Chinese) Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Vara).
- The converted value in Li (Chinese) 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 Li (Chinese)
Converting Vara to Li (Chinese) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Vara = 0.0016764 liExample Calculation:
Convert 10 varas: 10 × 0.0016764 = 0.016764 li
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 Li (Chinese)?
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 Li (里) is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, often translated as the "Chinese mile". It represents a significantly longer distance than the Chi (Chinese foot) and was historically the primary unit for measuring travel distances and land divisions over large areas.
Traditionally, the Li was defined in relation to smaller units like the Bu (步 - pace) or the Zhang (丈), and ultimately the Chi (尺). Common historical relationships included:
- 1 Li = 300 or 360 Bu
- 1 Bu = 5 or 6 Chi
- Therefore, 1 Li could equal 1500 or 1800 Chi.
- Alternatively, 1 Li = 150 Zhang (since 1 Zhang = 10 Chi).
Like other traditional Chinese units, its exact length varied considerably across different dynasties and regions. The modern standardized value, adopted for convenience and integration with the metric system, defines the Li as exactly 500 meters (0.5 kilometers).
Note: The Vara is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Li (Chinese) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Vara and Li (Chinese)
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 Li has been a fundamental unit of distance in China for thousands of years, used since at least the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BC). Its length was not constant, often changing with administrative reforms or shifts in the standard length of the base unit, the Chi.
- Early Dynasties: The length fluctuated. For example, during the Han Dynasty, based on a Chi of ~23.1 cm and a definition of 1 Li = 300 Bu = 1800 Chi, the Li would have been approximately 415.8 meters. Other periods might have used different definitions or Chi lengths, leading to Li values ranging roughly from 300 to over 500 meters.
- Standardization Efforts: Various dynasties attempted to standardize measurements, but regional variations often persisted. The Li was crucial for imperial administration, defining tax districts, postal routes, and military logistics.
- 20th Century Standardization: Following the establishment of the Republic of China, efforts were made to align traditional units with the metric system. In 1929, alongside the standardization of the Chi as 1/3 meter, the Li was officially defined as 1500 Chi, which resulted in exactly 500 meters (0.5 kilometers). This standard was maintained by the People's Republic of China.
The Li's historical significance lies in its role as the standard measure for long distances, shaping perceptions of geography and travel within China and neighboring East Asian cultures influenced by the Chinese system.
Common Uses for varas and li
Explore the typical applications for both Vara (imperial/US) and Li (Chinese) (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 li
While officially replaced by the kilometer for most purposes, the Li retains significance:
- Historical Measurement: Essential for understanding distances mentioned in historical texts, maps, administrative records, travelogues, and descriptions of large-scale projects like the Great Wall or canal systems.
- Geographical Names: Many place names in China incorporate "Li" (e.g., 十里堡 - Shilibao, "Ten Li Fort"), often reflecting historical distances or significance, even if the modern distance doesn't match precisely.
- Cultural References: The Li features prominently in Chinese idioms, proverbs, literature, and poetry, often symbolizing long journeys or vast distances. A famous example is 千里之行，始於足下 (qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià - "A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step").
- Informal Usage: In some rural areas or among older generations, "Li" might still be used informally to refer to a distance of approximately half a kilometer. It can also be used colloquially as a direct synonym for 0.5 km.
- Mapping: Older maps and surveys frequently used the Li.
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 Li (Chinese) (li)
How long is a Li?
The length of the Li varied significantly throughout history, typically ranging from about 400 to over 500 meters. The modern standardized value (since 1929) is:
- Exactly 500 meters (m)
- Exactly 0.5 kilometers (km)
- Approximately 0.3107 miles (mi)
- Approximately 1640.42 feet (ft)
- Approximately 546.81 yards (yd)
How was the Li historically defined?
It was typically defined based on smaller units:
- 1 Li = 300 or 360 Bu (步 - paces)
- Since 1 Bu was often 5 or 6 Chi (尺 - Chinese feet), this meant *1 Li = 1500 or 1800 Chi.
- Alternatively, 1 Li = 150 Zhang (丈), where 1 Zhang = 10 Chi. The variation depended on the specific dynasty, region, and the prevailing standard length of the Chi.
How does the Li relate to the Kilometer?
The modern standardized Li is defined directly in relation to the kilometer:
- 1 Li = 0.5 Kilometers
- 1 Kilometer = 2 Li
Is the Li an SI unit?
No, the Li is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Chinese unit of distance. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m), and the commonly used unit for larger distances is the kilometer (km).
Is the Li still used today?
Officially, China uses the metric system (kilometers and meters) for all legal, commercial, scientific, and administrative purposes. However, the Li continues to be used in:
- Historical and cultural contexts.
- Geographical place names.
- Idioms and literature.
- Informal conversation, often meaning exactly 0.5 km.
Is this related to the surveying Link (li)?
No, they are completely different and unrelated units, despite the similar symbol in some contexts.
- The Chinese Li (里) is a traditional unit of distance, standardized at 500 meters.
- The Gunter's Link (li) is a historical surveying unit from the imperial system, equal to 0.201168 meters (or 7.92 inches).
Conversion Table: Vara to Li (Chinese)
| Vara (vara) | Li (Chinese) (li) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.002 |
| 5 | 0.008 |
| 10 | 0.017 |
| 25 | 0.042 |
| 50 | 0.084 |
| 100 | 0.168 |
| 500 | 0.838 |
| 1,000 | 1.676 |
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)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)