Wa to Pace Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert wa to paces with our free online length converter.
Wa to Pace Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Wa).
- 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 Wa to Pace
Converting Wa to Pace involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Wa = 2.624672 pacesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 wa: 10 × 2.624672 = 26.24672 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 Wa and a Pace?
The Wa (วา) is a traditional Thai unit of length. It is legally defined in relation to the metric system as exactly 2 meters.
The Wa serves as a fundamental unit within the traditional Thai system of measurement, particularly for land area. It is roughly equivalent to the distance between a person's outstretched fingertips when their arms are extended horizontally to the sides (similar to a fathom).
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 Wa 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 Wa and Pace
The Wa has been used in Thailand (formerly Siam) for centuries, likely originating from anthropomorphic measurements like the arm span. It was a practical unit for everyday measurements, construction, and land surveying.
- Traditional System: The Wa was part of a system that included smaller units like the khuep (span, ~25 cm), sok (cubit, ~50 cm, 1 Wa = 4 Sok), and larger units like the sen (rope, 1 Sen = 20 Wa).
- Standardization: During the modernization reforms under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Thailand began standardizing its weights and measures. The Weights and Measures Act of 1923 formally defined traditional units in terms of the metric system. The Wa was officially set at exactly 2 meters.
- Metrication: While Thailand officially adopted the metric system as its primary standard, traditional units like the Wa remain legally defined and widely used, especially in specific contexts like land measurement.
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 wa and paces
Explore the typical applications for both Wa (imperial/US) and Pace (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for wa
The Wa's most significant modern use is in land measurement, but it historically had broader applications:
- Land Area: This is the most common contemporary use. Land area in Thailand is almost exclusively measured in Tarang Wa (ตารางวา - Square Wa).
- 1 Tarang Wa = 4 square meters (2m x 2m)
- 1 Ngan (งาน) = 100 Tarang Wa (400 sq m)
- 1 Rai (ไร่) = 4 Ngan = 400 Tarang Wa (1600 sq m) Property deeds, real estate listings, and land surveys invariably use Rai, Ngan, and Tarang Wa.
- Length Measurement: While meters are now standard for most length measurements (textiles, construction materials), the Wa might still be used informally or in traditional contexts. Historically, it was used for measuring distances, building dimensions, rope lengths, etc.
- Construction & Architecture: Traditionally used for laying out building plots and determining dimensions in Thai architecture.
- Cultural Context: Understanding the Wa and its related area units is essential for navigating real estate, agriculture, and historical contexts in Thailand.
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 Wa (wa)
How long is a Wa?
A Wa is defined as exactly:
- 2 meters (m)
- 200 centimeters (cm)
- Approximately 6.5617 feet (ft)
- Approximately 78.74 inches (in)
What are the related traditional Thai length units?
The Wa fits into a system, often based on factors of 2 and 10:
- Smaller Units:
- 1 Wa = 4 Sok (ศอก - cubit, ~50 cm)
- 1 Sok = 2 Khuep (คืบ - span, ~25 cm)
- 1 Khuep = 12 Nio (นิ้ว - finger breadth, ~2.08 cm, not the English inch)
- Larger Unit:
- 1 Sen (เส้น - rope/chain) = 20 Wa (40 meters)
- 1 Yot (โยชน์ - league) = 400 Sen (16 kilometers)
How is the Wa used for area measurement?
The primary unit for land area is the Tarang Wa (Square Wa):
- 1 Tarang Wa = 1 Wa × 1 Wa = 2 m × 2 m = 4 square meters Larger area units are based on the Tarang Wa:
- 1 Ngan = 100 Tarang Wa (400 m²)
- 1 Rai = 4 Ngan = 400 Tarang Wa (1600 m²)
- (For reference, 1 Acre ≈ 2.53 Rai, 1 Hectare = 6.25 Rai)
Is the Wa an SI unit?
No, the Wa is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Thai unit, although its legal definition is based on the SI unit, the meter (m).
Is the Wa still used today?
Yes, absolutely. While the metric system is the official standard for science, commerce, and industry, the Wa (especially as Tarang Wa for area) remains the standard unit for land measurement in Thailand. It is legally recognized and used in all official land documents and real estate transactions. Its use for linear measurement is less common but may still occur informally or in traditional settings.
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: Wa to Pace
| Wa (wa) | Pace (pace) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.625 |
| 5 | 13.123 |
| 10 | 26.247 |
| 25 | 65.617 |
| 50 | 131.234 |
| 100 | 262.467 |
| 500 | 1,312.336 |
| 1,000 | 2,624.672 |
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)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Arpent (arpent)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)