Length · Unit Converter

Convert Barleycorn to Foot

Convert barleycorns to feet instantly. 1 barleycorn = 0.0277777779 foot — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Foot to Barleycorn converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Imperial / US Customary

Barleycorn

What is a 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.

Origin of the barleycorn

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.

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

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.

Imperial / US Customary

Foot

What is a foot?

A foot is an Imperial and US customary unit of length equal to 12 inches or exactly 0.3048 meters. It is the most commonly used unit of length in everyday measurement in the United States.

Origin of the foot

The foot's origin is literally the length of a human foot, used as a measurement standard since antiquity. The English foot was standardized at various points in history; the modern international foot (0.3048 m exactly) was fixed by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Where it is used

Feet are used in the US for body height, building dimensions, room sizes, road sign clearances, aviation altitude (feet above sea level), and most everyday distance estimation. The UK uses feet informally for height despite officially being metric.

When and where it was developed

Used since antiquity; standardized to 0.3048 m exactly by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. Aviation worldwide uses feet for altitude despite metric adoption elsewhere.

Barleycorn to Foot conversion formula

The relationship between barleycorns and feet:

1 barleycorn = 0.0277777779 ft
1 ft = 35.9999998583 barleycorn

To convert barleycorns to feet, multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0277777779. To reverse, multiply feet by 35.9999998583.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in feet updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Foot to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to feet

  1. Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.0277777779.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in feet (ft).
  4. To reverse, multiply the foot value by 35.9999998583.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to ft:
1 × 0.0277777779 = 0.0277777779 ft

Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to ft:
100 × 0.0277777779 = 2.7777777887 ft

Real-world example — Furniture and large objects

A 72-barleycorn piece of furniture converts to a value in feet 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 × 0.0277777779 = 2.0000000079 ft

Real-world example — Children's height milestones

A 150-barleycorn-tall child measures a value in feet that's commonly used for theme-park ride height requirements when travelling between countries that use different measurement units.

150 barleycorn × 0.0277777779 = 4.1666666831 ft

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 feet — converting between these adjacent units is one of the most-used length conversions globally.

180 barleycorn × 0.0277777779 = 5.0000000197 ft

Barleycorn to Foot conversion table

Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to feet:

Barleycorn [barleycorn]Foot [ft]
0.010.0002777778
0.10.0027777778
10.0277777779
20.0555555558
30.0833333337
40.1111111115
50.1388888894
100.2777777789
200.5555555577
300.8333333366
401.1111111155
501.3888888944
1002.7777777887
50013.8888889436
100027.7777778871

Frequently asked questions

How many feet is 1 barleycorn?
1 barleycorn equals 0.0277777779 foot.
How do I convert barleycorns to feet?
Multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0277777779 to get feet.
How do I convert feet back to barleycorns?
Multiply the value in feet by 35.9999998583, or use the Foot to Barleycorn converter.
How many feet is 100 barleycorns?
100 barleycorns equals 2.7777777887 feet, because 100 × 0.0277777779 = 2.7777777887.

Convert Barleycorn to other length units

Show all Barleycorn conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 barleycorn = 0.0277777779 ft) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.