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Finger (finger) - Unit Information & Conversion

Symbol:finger
Plural:fingers
Category:Length

What is a Finger?

Definition

The Finger (sometimes finger's breadth, though this can be confusingly similar to the 'digit') is an archaic English unit of length. Its definition was inconsistent, leading to significant ambiguity. Two primary definitions existed:

  1. As 1/8th of a yard: This was a common definition, equating the finger to:

    • 4.5 inches (in)
    • 1/2 of a quarter-yard (or "quarter")
    • 0.1143 meters (m)
    • 11.43 centimeters (cm)

  2. As 1/16th of a yard: This definition made the finger identical to another unit called the nail, equating it to:

    • 2.25 inches (in)
    • 0.05715 meters (m)
    • 5.715 centimeters (cm)

The term likely originated from anthropomorphic measurement but became tied to fractions of the standard yard, particularly in the context of measuring cloth. It is distinct from, and generally longer than, the unit called a digit (typically ~0.75 inches).

History

The finger was used historically in England, primarily from the medieval period into the early modern era. Its main application was in the measurement of cloth, alongside other specialized units like the nail (often 2.25 inches) and the ell (often 45 inches).

The existence of multiple definitions (4.5 inches vs. 2.25 inches) highlights the lack of strict standardization for many older units. The 2.25-inch finger was identical to the nail, suggesting the terms might have been used interchangeably in some contexts or that one definition arose from confusion with the other.

Compared to more fundamental units like the inch, foot, yard, or even the digit and palm, the "finger" as a distinct unit (especially the 4.5-inch version) appears less frequently in historical records. Its usage declined significantly with the standardization of the Imperial system (which favored inches and yards) and the later adoption of the metric system. It is now entirely obsolete.

Common Uses

The finger is obsolete and has no modern practical application. Its relevance is primarily historical:

  • Historical Cloth Trade: Measurements in "fingers" might be encountered in older English documents, inventories, or tailor's records related to textiles. Understanding its potential ambiguity (4.5 vs 2.25 inches) is crucial.
  • Understanding Historical Units: Studying the finger helps illustrate the complexity and variability of pre-standardized measurement systems and the specific units used in the textile industry.
  • Rare & Obsolete: It was never as widespread or consistently defined as units like the inch, foot, or yard.

Unit FAQs

How long is a Finger?

The length of a finger was not consistently defined. The two most common historical definitions in England were:

  • 4.5 inches (11.43 cm), equal to 1/8th of a yard.
  • 2.25 inches (5.715 cm), equal to 1/16th of a yard (and identical to the unit called a 'nail'). Context is essential when encountering this unit in historical texts.

Is a Finger the same as a Digit?

No. Although both terms relate to the human finger, they represented different historical units of length.

  • The Digit (or fingerbreadth) was typically much shorter, around 0.75 inches (approx. 1.9 cm), representing the width of a finger.
  • The Finger was significantly longer, either 4.5 inches or 2.25 inches, likely derived as a fraction of a yard rather than directly from finger anatomy in later usage.

What is the relationship between a Finger and a Nail?

The unit called a Nail was commonly defined as 1/16th of a yard (2.25 inches). Therefore:

  • One definition of the Finger (2.25 inches) was identical to the Nail.
  • The other common definition of the Finger (4.5 inches) was twice the length of a Nail.

Is the Finger an SI unit?

No, the finger is not an SI unit. It is an archaic, non-standardized unit primarily used historically in England. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).

Is the Finger still used?

No, the finger as a unit of length is completely obsolete and is not used in any modern standard, scientific, or commercial measurements. Its relevance is purely historical.

Where does the name 'Finger' come from?

The name undoubtedly originates from the human finger. However, while the digit unit directly related to finger width, the 'Finger' unit (especially the 4.5-inch version) seems to have become a conventional term for a specific fraction (1/8th or 1/16th) of a yard, particularly in cloth measurement, losing its direct anatomical connection.

Finger Conversion Formulas

To Meter:

1 finger = 0.1143 m
Example: 5 fingers = 0.5715 meters

To Kilometer:

1 finger = 0.000114 km
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000571 kilometers

To Hectometer:

1 finger = 0.001143 hm
Example: 5 fingers = 0.005715 hectometers

To Decimeter:

1 finger = 1.143 dm
Example: 5 fingers = 5.715 decimeters

To Centimeter:

1 finger = 11.43 cm
Example: 5 fingers = 57.15 centimeters

To Millimeter:

1 finger = 114.3 mm
Example: 5 fingers = 571.5 millimeters

To Inch:

1 finger = 4.5 in
Example: 5 fingers = 22.5 inches

To Foot:

1 finger = 0.375 ft
Example: 5 fingers = 1.875 feet

To Yard:

1 finger = 0.125 yd
Example: 5 fingers = 0.625 yards

To Mile:

1 finger = 0.000071 mi
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000355 miles

To Nautical Mile:

1 finger = 0.000062 NM
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000309 nautical miles

To Micrometer:

1 finger = 114300 μm
Example: 5 fingers = 571500 micrometers

To Nanometer:

1 finger = 114300000 nm
Example: 5 fingers = 571500000 nanometers

To Light Year:

1 finger = 1.2081e-17 ly
Example: 5 fingers = 6.0406e-17 light years

To Astronomical Unit:

1 finger = 7.6404e-13 AU
Example: 5 fingers = 3.8202e-12 astronomical units

To Parsec:

1 finger = 3.7042e-18 pc
Example: 5 fingers = 1.8521e-17 parsecs

To Angstrom:

1 finger = 1143000000 Å
Example: 5 fingers = 5715000000 angstroms

To Point (Typography):

1 finger = 323.999796 pt
Example: 5 fingers = 1619.99898 points

To Mil/Thou:

1 finger = 4500 mil
Example: 5 fingers = 22500 mils

To Fathom:

1 finger = 0.0625 fath
Example: 5 fingers = 0.3125 fathoms

To Furlong:

1 finger = 0.000568 fur
Example: 5 fingers = 0.002841 furlongs

To Link (Gunter's):

1 finger = 0.568182 li
Example: 5 fingers = 2.840909 links

To Pace:

1 finger = 0.15 pace
Example: 5 fingers = 0.75 paces

To Span:

1 finger = 0.5 span
Example: 5 fingers = 2.5 spans

To Digit:

1 finger = 6 digit
Example: 5 fingers = 30 digits

To Cable Length:

1 finger = 0.000617 cb
Example: 5 fingers = 0.003086 cable lengths

To Ell:

1 finger = 0.1 ell
Example: 5 fingers = 0.5 ells

To Roman Mile:

1 finger = 0.000077 m.p.
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000386 Roman miles

To Stadion:

1 finger = 0.000618 stadion
Example: 5 fingers = 0.003089 stadia

To Chi (Chinese):

1 finger = 0.342934 chi
Example: 5 fingers = 1.714671 chi

To Shaku (Japanese):

1 finger = 0.377228 shaku
Example: 5 fingers = 1.886139 shaku

To Li (Chinese):

1 finger = 0.000229 li
Example: 5 fingers = 0.001143 li

To Toise:

1 finger = 0.058645 toise
Example: 5 fingers = 0.293227 toise

To Bolt:

1 finger = 0.00375 bolt
Example: 5 fingers = 0.01875 bolts

To Rope:

1 finger = 0.01875 rope
Example: 5 fingers = 0.09375 ropes

To Smoot:

1 finger = 0.067164 smoot
Example: 5 fingers = 0.335821 smoots

To Sajene:

1 finger = 0.053571 sajene
Example: 5 fingers = 0.267857 sajenes

To Ken:

1 finger = 0.062871 ken
Example: 5 fingers = 0.314356 ken

To Wa:

1 finger = 0.05715 wa
Example: 5 fingers = 0.28575 wa

To Vara:

1 finger = 0.136364 vara
Example: 5 fingers = 0.681818 varas

To Aln:

1 finger = 0.192424 aln
Example: 5 fingers = 0.962121 alnar

To Cubit (Royal/Egyptian):

1 finger = 0.218547 cubit
Example: 5 fingers = 1.092734 cubits

To Versta:

1 finger = 0.000107 versta
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000536 versts

To Arpent:

1 finger = 0.001955 arpent
Example: 5 fingers = 0.009774 arpents

To Ri (Japanese):

1 finger = 0.000029 ri
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000146 ri

To Klafter:

1 finger = 0.060269 klafter
Example: 5 fingers = 0.301345 klafter

To Yojana:

1 finger = 0.000008 yojana
Example: 5 fingers = 0.000042 yojanas

To Skein:

1 finger = 0.001042 skein
Example: 5 fingers = 0.005208 skeins

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Finger Quick Info

finger
Symbol:finger
Category:Length
System:Various
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