Length conversion
Length conversionThe length calculator allows for quick and precise conversion of length units – from millimeters and inches to feet and meters. Whether you are designing a PCB layout, selecting wires, or analyzing or developing technical documentation, this calculator will enable you to swiftly adjust units to your needs.
What is a length calculator used for?
In working with electronic components, mechanical elements, or technical documentation, there is often a need to convert lengths between different units. Our length calculator allows for efficient conversion of values such as:
- millimeters to inches,
- inches to centimeters,
- feet to meters,
- micrometers to millimeters.
This is particularly useful in situations where:
- you are analyzing a manufacturer's specification from the USA that provides dimensions in inches,
- you are adjusting hole or pin spacings in millimeters,
- you are converting data from technical drawings or CAD models,
- you are selecting the length of cables, wires, tapes, and tubes.
Thanks to automatic conversion, you avoid calculation errors that can affect the correctness of assembly, production, or device operation.
Most commonly used units of length
Depending on the industry, country, or manufacturers' habits, different units of length are used. Below you will find a comparison of the most commonly used units and their values relative to the meter (the basic unit of the SI system):
| Unit | Symbol | Value in meters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millimeter | mm | 0.001 | precise dimensions of electronic components |
| Centimeter | cm | 0.01 | lengths of wires, tapes, markings |
| Inch | in | 0.0254 | US market, manufacturers' catalogs |
| Foot | ft | 0.3048 | cable installations, working lengths |
| Meter | m | 1 | standard SI unit |
| Yard | yd | 0.9144 | older documentation, industry in the UK |
| Micrometer | µm | 0.000001 | precise measurements, microtechnology |
It's important to remember that a small difference in conversion, e.g., when converting inches to millimeters, can have a real impact on high-precision projects.
Practical application of length conversion
Precise conversion of length units is crucial in many areas of engineering. Examples of calculator use:
- PCB design, e.g., a pin spacing of 2.54mm in the standard for Goldpin connectors is exactly 0.1 inch – confusing units can lead to incorrect design of tracks;
- Selection of wires – many catalogs provide lengths in feet, while meters are used in Europe;
- Orders from abroad – specifications of components from the American market may require dimension conversion;
- Mechanical processing – adjusting the length of profiles, tubes, holders to precise values.
Avoiding errors in conversion saves time, reduces material waste, and helps avoid costly rework.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about distance conversion
Why are both mm and inches used in electronics?
This is due to differences in measurement systems. Many manufacturers (especially from the USA and Asia) provide dimensions in inches, while the metric system dominates in Europe. These differences occur, for example, in the markings of pin spacings, housings, or wires.
Is a yard the same as a meter?
No, because 1 yard = 0.9144m. It is a unit from the imperial system, still encountered in the UK and USA (e.g., in construction, gardening).
Are units of length always convertible without loss?
Yes, but it should be remembered that some values have decimal expansions, which means that in practice you need to round – e.g., 1 inch = 25.4mm, but 3 inches = 76.2mm (not 76mm).
What are units of length smaller than a millimeter?
In technology and science, the following are used:
- Micrometer (µm) = 0.001mm
- Nanometer (nm) = 0.000001mm
- Picometer (pm) = 0.000000001mm
These are used, for example, in optics, physics, semiconductor electronics, or nanotechnology.
Can metric and imperial units be mixed in one project?
Technically – yes, but it is not recommended. It can lead to misunderstandings, assembly errors, and production difficulties. In export projects, it is often worthwhile to convert all dimensions to one standard.
How does a land mile differ from a sea mile?
A land mile (statute) = 1609.34m. It is used, among others, in the USA and the United Kingdom (e.g., for measuring speed in miles per hour). Meanwhile, a sea mile = 1852m and is commonly used in maritime and air navigation.
Did you know...
- In ancient times, the Egyptian cubit (cubitus) measured about 52cm and was used for building pyramids – surveyors carried special "cubits" made of stone or wood on a string. Meanwhile, the "Parisian cubit" (about 54cm) was the basis of the measurement system in France before the introduction of the meter in 1795.
- The Chinese "zhang" is a traditional unit of length, approximately 3.3 meters, which was used, among other things, to measure the length of ropes or materials.
- A "rod" in England corresponded to a length of 16.5 feet (about 5.03m) – it was used, for example, to measure agricultural fields.
- The longest named unit of length is the parsec (about 3.26 light-years), the name comes from "parallax-second".
- The unit "smoot" originated as a joke by MIT students in 1958, measuring a bridge in Boston using student Oliver Smoot (his height is about 170cm).
- Mile derives from the Latin mille passuum, meaning "a thousand paces" (about 1.48km in ancient Rome).
- "Furlong" is an old English unit of length – about 201 meters. It is still used, for example, in horse racing in the UK.
- Inch comes from old measurements based on the length of a human thumb. The English inch was standardized in the 14th century by King Edward II, and his unit of measure was based on the length of three barleycorns. Only in 1959 was it officially established as exactly 25.4mm.
- Although the metric system is preferred worldwide (except in the USA, Burma, and Liberia), display sizes are still commonly given in inches, e.g., 15.6”.
- One sheet of A4 paper has a thickness of about 0.1mm, or 100 micrometers – this value often serves as a "standard" in gap tests.
- The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth, increasing the distance by about 1.5 inches (3.8cm) per year, which also slightly lengthens our days.
