Convert Barleycorn to Hand
Convert barleycorns to hands instantly. 1 barleycorn = 0.0833333337 hand — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Hand 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.
Hand
A hand is an Imperial unit of length equal to 4 inches (101.6 mm). It is used primarily to measure the height of horses at the withers.
The hand derives from the average breadth of a human hand and was standardised at exactly 4 inches by the Statute of Henry VIII in 1541.
Hands are used worldwide for horse height specification (the typical riding horse is 14–17 hh). Also used in some equestrian-adjacent contexts. The unit is now almost exclusively a horse-measurement convention.
Standardised at 4 inches by Henry VIII in 1541; value became exact in 1959 when the inch was fixed at 25.4 mm.
Barleycorn to Hand conversion formula
The relationship between barleycorns and hands:
To convert barleycorns to hands, multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0833333337. To reverse, multiply hands by 11.9999999528.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in hands updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Hand to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to hands
- Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.0833333337.
- The product is the equivalent value in hands (hh).
- To reverse, multiply the hand value by 11.9999999528.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to hh:
1 × 0.0833333337 = 0.0833333337 hh
Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to hh:
100 × 0.0833333337 = 8.3333333661 hh
Real-world example — Children's height milestones
A 150-barleycorn-tall child measures a value in hands that's commonly used for theme-park ride height requirements when travelling between countries that use different measurement units.
150 barleycorn × 0.0833333337 = 12.5000000492 hh
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 hands — converting between these adjacent units is one of the most-used length conversions globally.
180 barleycorn × 0.0833333337 = 15.0000000591 hh
Real-world example — Furniture and large objects
A 72-barleycorn piece of furniture converts to a value in hands 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 × 0.0833333337 = 6.0000000236 hh
Barleycorn to Hand conversion table
Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to hands:
| Barleycorn [barleycorn] | Hand [hh] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0008333333 |
| 0.1 | 0.0083333334 |
| 1 | 0.0833333337 |
| 2 | 0.1666666673 |
| 3 | 0.250000001 |
| 4 | 0.3333333346 |
| 5 | 0.4166666683 |
| 10 | 0.8333333366 |
| 20 | 1.6666666732 |
| 30 | 2.5000000098 |
| 40 | 3.3333333465 |
| 50 | 4.1666666831 |
| 100 | 8.3333333661 |
| 500 | 41.6666668307 |
| 1000 | 83.3333336614 |
Frequently asked questions
How many hands is 1 barleycorn?
How do I convert barleycorns to hands?
How do I convert hands back to barleycorns?
How many hands is 100 barleycorns?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Barleycorn to other length units
Show all Barleycorn conversions
Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 barleycorn = 0.0833333337 hh) 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.