Convert Ell to Nail
Convert ells to nails instantly. 1 ell = 20 nail — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Nail to Ell converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Ell
An ell is an Imperial unit of length equal to 45 inches (1.143 m), historically used as the standard measure of cloth in English commerce.
The ell derives from old English elna (forearm) and was standardised in medieval English trade as the cloth-measuring yard equivalent. The English ell is 45 inches; other regional ells differed.
Ells appear in historical English commerce records (especially cloth and tapestry trade). Used in legal documents through the 19th century; rare in modern commerce but referenced in literary and historical contexts.
Medieval English cloth-trade origin; standardised at 45 inches; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Nail
A nail is an Imperial unit of length equal to 2.25 inches (about 57.15 mm). It was historically used in the English cloth trade.
The nail derives from an English cloth-measure tradition dating to medieval times. Standardised at 2.25 inches (or 1/16 of a yard) through English customary practice and ratified by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Nails were historically used to measure cloth, particularly small pieces and ribbons. Rare in modern commerce but appears in historical textile literature and reproduction crafts.
Medieval English cloth-trade origin; standardised at 1/16 yard; fixed exactly at 0.05715 m via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Ell to Nail conversion formula
The relationship between ells and nails:
To convert ells to nails, multiply the value in ells by 20. To reverse, multiply nails by 0.05.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in nails updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Nail to Ell converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert ells to nails
- Write down the value in ells (ell).
- Multiply that value by the factor 20.
- The product is the equivalent value in nails (nail).
- To reverse, multiply the nail value by 0.05.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 ell to nail:
1 × 20 = 20 nail
Example 2 — Convert 100 ell to nail:
100 × 20 = 2000 nail
Real-world example — Body height conversion (reverse direction)
You measure 1.75 ells tall and need to fill in a gym membership form or medical record that asks for height in nails. This is the most-used everyday length conversion in metric-using countries.
1.75 ell × 20 = 35 nail
Real-world example — Pet and accessory dimensions
A 3-ell dog leash equals a tidy round value in nails. Pet-supply shopping frequently mixes the two units across product specifications.
3 ell × 20 = 60 nail
Real-world example — Fabric and tailoring
One ell of fabric converts to a value in nails commonly used for seam allowances. Garment patterns frequently switch between the two units on a single instruction sheet.
1 ell × 20 = 20 nail
Ell to Nail conversion table
Standard reference values for converting ells to nails:
| Ell [ell] | Nail [nail] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.2 |
| 0.1 | 2 |
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 40 |
| 3 | 60 |
| 4 | 80 |
| 5 | 100 |
| 10 | 200 |
| 20 | 400 |
| 30 | 600 |
| 40 | 800 |
| 50 | 1000 |
| 100 | 2000 |
| 500 | 10000 |
| 1000 | 20000 |
Frequently asked questions
How many nails is 1 ell?
How do I convert ells to nails?
How do I convert nails back to ells?
How many nails is 100 ells?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Ell to other length units
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 ell = 20 nail) 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.