Convert Barleycorn to Ell
Convert barleycorns to ells instantly. 1 barleycorn = 0.0074074074 ell — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Ell to Barleycorn converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Barleycorn
A barleycorn is an Imperial unit of length equal to one third of an inch (about 8.47 mm). It is the basis of UK shoe sizing and is one of the oldest English length units still in use.
The barleycorn derives from the average length of a grain of barley as a natural reference. Standardised at exactly 1/3 inch by the Statute of Edward II in 1324, which used three barleycorns to define an inch.
Barleycorns are the foundation of UK and US children's shoe sizing — each whole size differs by one barleycorn. Also occasionally referenced in horse-handling and historical English literature.
Standardised in 1324 by the Statute of Edward II at 1/3 inch; the value became exact in 1959 when the inch was fixed at 25.4 mm.
Ell
An ell is an Imperial unit of length equal to 45 inches (1.143 m), historically used as the standard measure of cloth in English commerce.
The ell derives from old English elna (forearm) and was standardised in medieval English trade as the cloth-measuring yard equivalent. The English ell is 45 inches; other regional ells differed.
Ells appear in historical English commerce records (especially cloth and tapestry trade). Used in legal documents through the 19th century; rare in modern commerce but referenced in literary and historical contexts.
Medieval English cloth-trade origin; standardised at 45 inches; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Barleycorn to Ell conversion formula
The relationship between barleycorns and ells:
To convert barleycorns to ells, multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0074074074. To reverse, multiply ells by 134.9999994685.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in ells updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Ell to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to ells
- Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.0074074074.
- The product is the equivalent value in ells (ell).
- To reverse, multiply the ell value by 134.9999994685.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to ell:
1 × 0.0074074074 = 0.0074074074 ell
Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to ell:
100 × 0.0074074074 = 0.7407407437 ell
Real-world example — Children's height milestones
A 150-barleycorn-tall child measures a value in ells that's commonly used for theme-park ride height requirements when travelling between countries that use different measurement units.
150 barleycorn × 0.0074074074 = 1.1111111155 ell
Real-world example — Body height conversion
You enter your height as 180 barleycorns into an international job or visa application. The form then asks for the same value in ells — converting between these adjacent units is one of the most-used length conversions globally.
180 barleycorn × 0.0074074074 = 1.3333333386 ell
Real-world example — Furniture and large objects
A 72-barleycorn piece of furniture converts to a value in ells that's easier to mentally compare with room dimensions. This is the typical workflow when shopping internationally and product specs use a different unit than your room measurements.
72 barleycorn × 0.0074074074 = 0.5333333354 ell
Barleycorn to Ell conversion table
Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to ells:
| Barleycorn [barleycorn] | Ell [ell] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 7.407407e-5 |
| 0.1 | 0.0007407407 |
| 1 | 0.0074074074 |
| 2 | 0.0148148149 |
| 3 | 0.0222222223 |
| 4 | 0.0296296297 |
| 5 | 0.0370370372 |
| 10 | 0.0740740744 |
| 20 | 0.1481481487 |
| 30 | 0.2222222231 |
| 40 | 0.2962962975 |
| 50 | 0.3703703718 |
| 100 | 0.7407407437 |
| 500 | 3.7037037183 |
| 1000 | 7.4074074366 |
Frequently asked questions
How many ells is 1 barleycorn?
How do I convert barleycorns to ells?
How do I convert ells back to barleycorns?
How many ells is 100 barleycorns?
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 barleycorn = 0.0074074074 ell) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.