Yojana to Smoot Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert yojanas to smoots with our free online length converter.
Yojana to Smoot Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Yojana).
- The converted value in Smoot 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 Yojana to Smoot
Converting Yojana to Smoot involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Yojana = 7932.777 smootsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 yojanas: 10 × 7932.777 = 7.9328e+4 smoots
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 Yojana and a Smoot?
The Yojana (Sanskrit: योजन) is an ancient Indian unit of distance, primarily found in historical texts from South Asia. Its exact length is highly debated and likely varied significantly across different time periods, geographical regions, and textual sources.
There is no single, universally accepted conversion to modern units. Common scholarly estimates place its value anywhere between:
- 8 to 15 kilometers (km)
- Approximately 5 to 9 miles (mi)
Some ancient texts define the Yojana in terms of smaller units, such as:
- 4 krosas (or gorutas)
- 8,000 dhanus ('bows')
- 32,000 hastas ('cubits')
However, the lengths of these base units are also subject to historical variation and interpretation, contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the Yojana.
The Smoot is a non-standard, humorous unit of length created as part of an MIT fraternity prank in October 1958. It is defined by the height of Oliver R. Smoot (MIT class of 1962) at the time of the prank, which was 5 feet 7 inches.
This equates to:
- 67 inches (in)
- 1.7018 meters (m)
- Approximately 1.86 yards (yd)
Unlike standardized units, the Smoot is intrinsically tied to a specific individual's height at a particular moment and serves primarily as a cultural artifact and inside joke, particularly within the MIT community.
Note: The Yojana is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Smoot belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Yojana and Smoot
- Ancient Origins: The term "Yojana" appears in some of the oldest Indian literature, including the Vedas, the Puranas, and the great epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It was a standard measure for long distances.
- Buddhist Texts: Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon, frequently use the Yojana to describe geographical distances, the dimensions of mythical realms, or the extent of a Buddha's journey. Different Buddhist traditions sometimes offer varying interpretations of its length.
- Arthashastra: Kautilya's Arthashastra (an ancient treatise on statecraft, c. 3rd century BCE) provides definitions relating the Yojana to smaller units, suggesting a more standardized system for administrative purposes at that time, though its precise value remains debated.
- Lack of Standardization: Unlike modern systems, ancient Indian measurements were not centrally standardized across the vast subcontinent and over long periods. Local customs, royal decrees, and the specific context (e.g., measuring road distance vs. cosmological scale) could all influence the intended length.
- Interpretations: Modern scholars have attempted to calculate the Yojana based on various methods:
- Analyzing travel times mentioned in texts.
- Comparing described geographical distances with known locations.
- Relating it to astronomical measurements found in cosmological texts.
- Working backward from definitions based on smaller, slightly better-understood units like the hasta (cubit) or angula (finger width). These methods often yield conflicting results.
- Obsolescence: With the advent of standardized systems like the Imperial system during British rule and later the widespread adoption of the metric system, the Yojana fell out of practical use for measurement.
The Smoot unit originated in October 1958 during the pledge activities of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at MIT. Pledges were tasked with measuring the length of the Harvard Bridge, which connects Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the Charles River.
Instead of using conventional measuring tools, the fraternity members decided to use one of their pledges, Oliver Smoot, as the unit of measure. They repeatedly laid him down end-to-end across the bridge, marking off increments in paint. His companions carried him or helped him move for each new measurement.
The final measurement determined the bridge's length to be 364.4 Smoots "plus or minus one ear". The "ear" indicated the uncertainty of the measurement, adding to the absurdity and humor of the event.
The painted markings on the bridge became a local landmark. They have been maintained and periodically repainted over the decades, often unofficially by members of the fraternity or other MIT affiliates. The Cambridge Police Department traditionally tolerates the markings because, among other reasons, they serve as useful reference points for identifying locations along the bridge.
Interestingly, Oliver R. Smoot later became a prominent figure in standards organizations, serving as Chairman of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and President of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an ironic twist given his namesake unit's non-standard nature.
Common Uses for yojanas and smoots
Explore the typical applications for both Yojana (imperial/US) and Smoot (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for yojanas
The Yojana is primarily encountered today in:
- Historical Studies: Understanding ancient Indian geography, trade routes, military campaigns, and administrative divisions described in texts.
- Religious and Literary Studies: Interpreting distances mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures, epics, and classical literature. This includes cosmological descriptions, mythological journeys, and the size of ancient kingdoms or structures.
- Cultural Context: It remains a part of the cultural lexicon in discussions related to ancient Indian heritage and texts.
It is not used for any practical, scientific, or commercial measurements in the modern era.
Common Uses for smoots
The Smoot is not used for any official, scientific, or commercial measurements. Its use is primarily cultural and humorous:
- Harvard Bridge Markings: The painted markings on the bridge sidewalk are its most famous application, indicating distance in Smoots from the Boston side. They are a well-known local landmark.
- MIT Culture and Slang: Used humorously within the MIT community and sometimes in the broader Boston area as a quirky local reference.
- Digital Recognition: The unit gained wider recognition when it was included as a unit of measurement in Google Calculator and Google Earth's ruler tool.
- Popular Culture: Occasionally referenced in media or tech circles as an example of a non-standard or humorous unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Yojana (yojana)
What is the accepted value of a Yojana in modern units?
There is no single universally accepted value. Scholarly estimates vary widely, most commonly falling between 8 kilometers (approx. 5 miles) and 15 kilometers (approx. 9 miles). Some interpretations suggest values as low as 5 km or as high as 20 km. The specific text, time period, and region must be considered.
Why is the length of the Yojana so uncertain?
Several factors contribute to the uncertainty:
- Lack of Central Standardization: Ancient India had diverse local measurement practices.
- Evolution Over Time: The definition likely changed over centuries.
- Variable Base Units: The smaller units (like krosa or hasta) used to define it were also not universally fixed.
- Contextual Differences: The term might have been used differently for road distances, land surveys, or cosmological scales.
- Figurative Use: In some literary or religious contexts, the term might have been used symbolically or hyperbolically rather than as a precise measurement.
How does the Yojana relate to other ancient Indian units?
The Yojana was typically the largest unit in a hierarchical system. A common (though not universal) relationship described in texts like the Arthashastra is:
- 1 Yojana = 4 Krosas (or Gorutas)
- 1 Krosa = 1,000 (or sometimes 2,000) Dhanus (bows)
- 1 Dhanus = 4 Hastas (cubits)
- 1 Hasta = 24 Angulas (finger widths)
The uncertainty in the base units (hasta, angula) contributes to the uncertainty in the Yojana.
Is the Yojana still used today?
No, the Yojana is an obsolete unit of measurement. It has not been used for practical purposes for centuries and has been entirely replaced by the metric system (kilometers, meters) in India and other relevant regions. Its relevance is purely historical, literary, and cultural.
Is the Yojana an SI unit?
No, the Yojana is not an SI unit. It is an ancient, traditional unit of distance from the Indian subcontinent. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
About Smoot (smoot)
How long is a Smoot?
One Smoot is exactly the height of Oliver R. Smoot in 1958:
- 5 feet 7 inches
- 67 inches
- 1.7018 meters
Is the Smoot an official or standardized unit?
No, the Smoot is not an official or standardized unit of measurement in any system (Imperial, US customary, or SI). It is a non-standard, humorous unit originating from a specific event.
Why is the bridge measurement "plus or minus one ear"?
The "plus or minus one ear" (often written as ± εar) reflects the humorous imprecision of the original measurement method using a person. It signifies the margin of error in a whimsical way, possibly referencing the difficulty of the final partial measurement or simply adding to the prank's absurdity.
Are the Smoot markings still on the Harvard Bridge?
Yes, the markings are traditionally repainted periodically (often by Lambda Chi Alpha members) and are considered a fixture of the bridge. During bridge renovations in 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation restored the markings, acknowledging their cultural significance.
How does the Smoot compare to standard units?
- 1 Smoot = 1.7018 meters
- 1 Meter ≈ 0.5876 Smoots
- 1 Smoot = 5.583 feet (5 feet 7 inches)
- 1 Foot ≈ 0.1791 Smoots
Is the Smoot an SI unit?
No, the Smoot is not an SI unit. It is a non-standard, informal unit. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
What did Oliver Smoot think of the unit?
Oliver Smoot generally embraced his namesake unit with good humor throughout his life and career, often participating in events related to it at MIT.
Conversion Table: Yojana to Smoot
| Yojana (yojana) | Smoot (smoot) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7,932.777 |
| 5 | 39,663.885 |
| 10 | 79,327.771 |
| 25 | 198,319.427 |
| 50 | 396,638.853 |
| 100 | 793,277.706 |
| 500 | 3,966,388.53 |
| 1,000 | 7,932,777.06 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
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- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
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