Convert Hand to Barleycorn
Convert hands to barleycorns instantly. 1 hand = 11.9999999528 barleycorn — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Barleycorn to Hand converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
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
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 to Barleycorn conversion formula
The relationship between hands and barleycorns:
To convert hands to barleycorns, multiply the value in hands by 11.9999999528. To reverse, multiply barleycorns by 0.0833333337.
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 Hand converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert hands to barleycorns
- Write down the value in hands (hh).
- Multiply that value by the factor 11.9999999528.
- The product is the equivalent value in barleycorns (barleycorn).
- To reverse, multiply the barleycorn value by 0.0833333337.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 hh to barleycorn:
1 × 11.9999999528 = 11.9999999528 barleycorn
Example 2 — Convert 100 hh to barleycorn:
100 × 11.9999999528 = 1199.9999952756 barleycorn
Real-world example — Pet and accessory dimensions
A 3-hand dog leash equals a tidy round value in barleycorns. Pet-supply shopping frequently mixes the two units across product specifications.
3 hh × 11.9999999528 = 35.9999998583 barleycorn
Real-world example — Fabric and tailoring
One hand 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 hh × 11.9999999528 = 11.9999999528 barleycorn
Real-world example — Body height conversion (reverse direction)
You measure 1.75 hands 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 hh × 11.9999999528 = 20.9999999173 barleycorn
Hand to Barleycorn conversion table
Standard reference values for converting hands to barleycorns:
| Hand [hh] | Barleycorn [barleycorn] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.1199999995 |
| 0.1 | 1.1999999953 |
| 1 | 11.9999999528 |
| 2 | 23.9999999055 |
| 3 | 35.9999998583 |
| 4 | 47.999999811 |
| 5 | 59.9999997638 |
| 10 | 119.9999995276 |
| 20 | 239.9999990551 |
| 30 | 359.9999985827 |
| 40 | 479.9999981102 |
| 50 | 599.9999976378 |
| 100 | 1199.9999952756 |
| 500 | 5999.999976378 |
| 1000 | 11999.9999527559 |
Frequently asked questions
How many barleycorns is 1 hand?
How do I convert hands to barleycorns?
How do I convert barleycorns back to hands?
How many barleycorns is 100 hands?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Hand to other length units
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 hh = 11.9999999528 barleycorn) 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.