Biblical Unit Converter: Cubits to Meters & Feet | Ancient Measurements

Biblical measurements were based on body parts and everyday objects, making them practical but variable across regions and time periods.

• Cubit: Elbow to fingertip length, about 18 inches (45.72 cm). The most common measurement in biblical texts.
• Reed: Equal to 6 cubits (about 9 feet), used for measuring buildings and larger structures in biblical architecture.
• Hand: Width of a palm, approximately 4 inches (10.16 cm). Used for smaller measurements and still used today for horse heights.
• Furlong: Ancient distance unit equal to 1/8 mile or about 201 meters. Used in agricultural and land measurements.
• Stadion: Greek footrace track length, approximately 185 meters. Appears in New Testament distance descriptions.
• Span: Thumb to pinky when hand is spread, half a cubit (about 9 inches). Used for ceremonial item dimensions.
• Fingerbreadth: Width of one finger, the smallest biblical unit at 1/24 of a cubit (about 0.75 inches).
• Fathom: Fingertip to fingertip with arms outstretched, about 6 feet. Used for nautical depth measurements in the Bible.
• Sabbath Day's Journey: Maximum travel distance on the Sabbath under Jewish law, about 2,000 cubits (0.6 miles or 1 km).
• Day's Journey: Average walking distance in one day, approximately 20-30 miles (30 km). Varied with terrain and conditions.