Convert Barleycorn to Furlong
Convert barleycorns to furlongs instantly. 1 barleycorn = 4.208754e-5 furlong — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Furlong 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.
Furlong
A furlong is an Imperial unit of length equal to 660 feet, or exactly one eighth of a mile (about 201.17 m). It is the longest unit in the traditional English farm-and-survey system.
The furlong derives from Old English furh (furrow) + lang (long) — originally the length of a furrow in a typical medieval English open field. Standardised at 660 feet (= 10 chains = 220 yards = 1/8 mile) in medieval times.
Furlongs are the standard distance unit in horse racing (e.g., 'The race is 8 furlongs'), historical English farming and surveying, and occasional poetic or rhetorical usage. Modern racing courses worldwide list distances in furlongs.
Medieval English farming origin; standardised at 660 feet; remains the official distance unit in flat-racing thoroughbred horse races worldwide.
Barleycorn to Furlong conversion formula
The relationship between barleycorns and furlongs:
To convert barleycorns to furlongs, multiply the value in barleycorns by 4.208754e-5. To reverse, multiply furlongs by 23759.9999064567.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in furlongs updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Furlong to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to furlongs
- Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- Multiply that value by the factor 4.208754e-5.
- The product is the equivalent value in furlongs (fur).
- To reverse, multiply the furlong value by 23759.9999064567.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to fur:
1 × 4.208754e-5 = 4.208754e-5 fur
Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to fur:
100 × 4.208754e-5 = 0.0042087542 fur
Real-world example — Ruler-scale measurements
A 30-barleycorn school ruler converts cleanly to furlongs — useful when buying a desk accessory from a retailer whose product specs use a different unit.
30 barleycorn × 4.208754e-5 = 0.0012626263 fur
Real-world example — Hardware-scale dimensions
A 10-barleycorn fastener or component is about as long as a thumbnail. Mechanics and DIY enthusiasts convert between barleycorns and furlongs daily when mixing metric and imperial tools.
10 barleycorn × 4.208754e-5 = 0.0004208754 fur
Real-world example — Postcard and small-object dimensions
A postcard is about 5 barleycorns wide. Converting to furlongs is essential for international postal addressing forms that ask for dimensions in different units across countries.
5 barleycorn × 4.208754e-5 = 0.0002104377 fur
Barleycorn to Furlong conversion table
Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to furlongs:
| Barleycorn [barleycorn] | Furlong [fur] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 4.208754e-7 |
| 0.1 | 4.208754e-6 |
| 1 | 4.208754e-5 |
| 2 | 8.417508e-5 |
| 3 | 0.0001262626 |
| 4 | 0.0001683502 |
| 5 | 0.0002104377 |
| 10 | 0.0004208754 |
| 20 | 0.0008417508 |
| 30 | 0.0012626263 |
| 40 | 0.0016835017 |
| 50 | 0.0021043771 |
| 100 | 0.0042087542 |
| 500 | 0.0210437711 |
| 1000 | 0.0420875423 |
Frequently asked questions
How many furlongs is 1 barleycorn?
How do I convert barleycorns to furlongs?
How do I convert furlongs back to barleycorns?
How many furlongs is 100 barleycorns?
Popular length unit conversions
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 barleycorn = 4.208754e-5 fur) 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 Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.