Convert Barleycorn to Cable
Convert barleycorns to cables instantly. 1 barleycorn = 4.571634e-5 cable — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Cable 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.
Cable
A cable is a nautical unit of length equal to one tenth of a nautical mile (exactly 185.2 m). It is used in maritime navigation for short-distance descriptions.
The cable derives from the historical length of a ship's anchor cable. Standardised at one tenth of an international nautical mile in 1929.
Cables are used in modern maritime navigation when describing short distances between vessels, anchoring depths, and harbor manoeuvres. Common in naval and yachting contexts.
Standardised at 1/10 nautical mile by the International Hydrographic Organization in 1929.
Barleycorn to Cable conversion formula
The relationship between barleycorns and cables:
To convert barleycorns to cables, multiply the value in barleycorns by 4.571634e-5. To reverse, multiply cables by 21874.0156619133.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in cables updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Cable to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to cables
- Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- Multiply that value by the factor 4.571634e-5.
- The product is the equivalent value in cables (cable).
- To reverse, multiply the cable value by 21874.0156619133.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to cable:
1 × 4.571634e-5 = 4.571634e-5 cable
Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to cable:
100 × 4.571634e-5 = 0.0045716343 cable
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 cables daily when mixing metric and imperial tools.
10 barleycorn × 4.571634e-5 = 0.0004571634 cable
Real-world example — Postcard and small-object dimensions
A postcard is about 5 barleycorns wide. Converting to cables is essential for international postal addressing forms that ask for dimensions in different units across countries.
5 barleycorn × 4.571634e-5 = 0.0002285817 cable
Real-world example — Ruler-scale measurements
A 30-barleycorn school ruler converts cleanly to cables — useful when buying a desk accessory from a retailer whose product specs use a different unit.
30 barleycorn × 4.571634e-5 = 0.0013714903 cable
Barleycorn to Cable conversion table
Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to cables:
| Barleycorn [barleycorn] | Cable [cable] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 4.571634e-7 |
| 0.1 | 4.571634e-6 |
| 1 | 4.571634e-5 |
| 2 | 9.143269e-5 |
| 3 | 0.000137149 |
| 4 | 0.0001828654 |
| 5 | 0.0002285817 |
| 10 | 0.0004571634 |
| 20 | 0.0009143269 |
| 30 | 0.0013714903 |
| 40 | 0.0018286537 |
| 50 | 0.0022858171 |
| 100 | 0.0045716343 |
| 500 | 0.0228581714 |
| 1000 | 0.0457163429 |
Frequently asked questions
How many cables is 1 barleycorn?
How do I convert barleycorns to cables?
How do I convert cables back to barleycorns?
How many cables is 100 barleycorns?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Barleycorn to other length units
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 barleycorn = 4.571634e-5 cable) 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.