Length · Unit Converter

Convert Foot to Barleycorn

Convert feet to barleycorns instantly. 1 foot = 35.9999998583 barleycorn — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Barleycorn to Foot converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Imperial / US Customary

Foot

What is a foot?

A foot is an Imperial and US customary unit of length equal to 12 inches or exactly 0.3048 meters. It is the most commonly used unit of length in everyday measurement in the United States.

Origin of the foot

The foot's origin is literally the length of a human foot, used as a measurement standard since antiquity. The English foot was standardized at various points in history; the modern international foot (0.3048 m exactly) was fixed by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Where it is used

Feet are used in the US for body height, building dimensions, room sizes, road sign clearances, aviation altitude (feet above sea level), and most everyday distance estimation. The UK uses feet informally for height despite officially being metric.

When and where it was developed

Used since antiquity; standardized to 0.3048 m exactly by the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959. Aviation worldwide uses feet for altitude despite metric adoption elsewhere.

Imperial / US Customary

Barleycorn

What is a 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.

Origin of the barleycorn

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.

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

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.

Foot to Barleycorn conversion formula

The relationship between feet and barleycorns:

1 ft = 35.9999998583 barleycorn
1 barleycorn = 0.0277777779 ft

To convert feet to barleycorns, multiply the value in feet by 35.9999998583. To reverse, multiply barleycorns by 0.0277777779.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in barleycorns updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Barleycorn to Foot converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert feet to barleycorns

  1. Write down the value in feet (ft).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 35.9999998583.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
  4. To reverse, multiply the barleycorn value by 0.0277777779.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 ft to barleycorn:
1 × 35.9999998583 = 35.9999998583 barleycorn

Example 2 — Convert 100 ft to barleycorn:
100 × 35.9999998583 = 3599.9999858268 barleycorn

Real-world example — Fabric and tailoring

One foot of fabric converts to a value in barleycorns commonly used for seam allowances. Garment patterns frequently switch between the two units on a single instruction sheet.

1 ft × 35.9999998583 = 35.9999998583 barleycorn

Real-world example — Body height conversion (reverse direction)

You measure 1.75 feet tall and need to fill in a gym membership form or medical record that asks for height in barleycorns. This is the most-used everyday length conversion in metric-using countries.

1.75 ft × 35.9999998583 = 62.999999752 barleycorn

Real-world example — Pet and accessory dimensions

A 3-foot dog leash equals a tidy round value in barleycorns. Pet-supply shopping frequently mixes the two units across product specifications.

3 ft × 35.9999998583 = 107.9999995748 barleycorn

Foot to Barleycorn conversion table

Standard reference values for converting feet to barleycorns:

Foot [ft]Barleycorn [barleycorn]
0.010.3599999986
0.13.5999999858
135.9999998583
271.9999997165
3107.9999995748
4143.9999994331
5179.9999992913
10359.9999985827
20719.9999971654
301079.999995748
401439.9999943307
501799.9999929134
1003599.9999858268
50017999.9999291339
100035999.9998582677

Frequently asked questions

How many barleycorns is 1 foot?
1 foot equals 35.9999998583 barleycorn.
How do I convert feet to barleycorns?
Multiply the value in feet by 35.9999998583 to get barleycorns.
How do I convert barleycorns back to feet?
Multiply the value in barleycorns by 0.0277777779, or use the Barleycorn to Foot converter.
How many barleycorns is 100 feet?
100 feet equals 3599.9999858268 barleycorns, because 100 × 35.9999998583 = 3599.9999858268.

Convert Foot to other length units

Show all Foot conversions
Metric / SI (18 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Nautical (1 units)
Astronomical (9 units)
Atomic / Physics (6 units)
Typographic (3 units)

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 ft = 35.9999998583 barleycorn) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.