Convert Barleycorn to Span
Convert barleycorns to spans instantly. 1 barleycorn = 0.0370370372 span — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Span 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.
Span
A span is an Imperial unit of length equal to 9 inches (228.6 mm). Historically, it represented the distance from the tip of an extended thumb to the tip of an extended little finger.
The span derives from this natural body-measurement and was standardised at 9 inches in English customary practice.
Spans are rare in modern commerce but appear in historical English literature, biblical translation studies, and reproduction crafts. Some construction and gardening still use 'span' informally.
Ancient body-measure origin; standardised in English customary practice at 9 inches; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Barleycorn to Span conversion formula
The relationship between barleycorns and spans:
To convert barleycorns to spans, multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0370370372. To reverse, multiply spans by 26.9999998937.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in spans updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Span to Barleycorn converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert barleycorns to spans
- Write down the value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- Multiply that value by the factor 0.0370370372.
- The product is the equivalent value in spans (span).
- To reverse, multiply the span value by 26.9999998937.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 barleycorn to span:
1 × 0.0370370372 = 0.0370370372 span
Example 2 — Convert 100 barleycorn to span:
100 × 0.0370370372 = 3.7037037183 span
Real-world example — Furniture and large objects
A 72-barleycorn piece of furniture converts to a value in spans 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 × 0.0370370372 = 2.6666666772 span
Real-world example — Children's height milestones
A 150-barleycorn-tall child measures a value in spans that's commonly used for theme-park ride height requirements when travelling between countries that use different measurement units.
150 barleycorn × 0.0370370372 = 5.5555555774 span
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 spans — converting between these adjacent units is one of the most-used length conversions globally.
180 barleycorn × 0.0370370372 = 6.6666666929 span
Barleycorn to Span conversion table
Standard reference values for converting barleycorns to spans:
| Barleycorn [barleycorn] | Span [span] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0003703704 |
| 0.1 | 0.0037037037 |
| 1 | 0.0370370372 |
| 2 | 0.0740740744 |
| 3 | 0.1111111115 |
| 4 | 0.1481481487 |
| 5 | 0.1851851859 |
| 10 | 0.3703703718 |
| 20 | 0.7407407437 |
| 30 | 1.1111111155 |
| 40 | 1.4814814873 |
| 50 | 1.8518518591 |
| 100 | 3.7037037183 |
| 500 | 18.5185185914 |
| 1000 | 37.0370371829 |
Frequently asked questions
How many spans is 1 barleycorn?
How do I convert barleycorns to spans?
How do I convert spans back to barleycorns?
How many spans 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 = 0.0370370372 span) 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.