Barleycorn to Inches Converter
Instantly convert barleycorns to inches with our free, accurate conversion tool
What Is a Barleycorn?
A barleycorn is a traditional British unit of length historically based on the length of a grain of barley. The barleycorn has been an integral part of the British imperial measurement system since medieval times and remains particularly significant in the UK shoe sizing industry.
The barleycorn is officially defined as exactly one-third of an inch within the imperial measurement system. This means three barleycorns placed end to end equal precisely one inch. King Edward II formalised this definition in 1324, establishing the barleycorn as a standard unit of measure across England.
Conversion Formula
Converting between barleycorns and inches is straightforward once you understand the fundamental relationship: one barleycorn equals exactly one-third of an inch.
Barleycorns to Inches
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Inches to Barleycorns
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Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
Converting Barleycorns to Inches
- Take your measurement in barleycorns
- Multiply the barleycorn value by 0.333333 (or divide by 3)
- The result is your measurement in inches
- Round to your desired decimal precision
Example: Convert 12 barleycorns to inches
12 bc × 0.333333 = 4 inches
Therefore, 12 barleycorns equals 4 inches.
Converting Inches to Barleycorns
- Take your measurement in inches
- Multiply the inch value by 3
- The result is your measurement in barleycorns
- Round to your desired decimal precision
Example: Convert 5 inches to barleycorns
5 in × 3 = 15 barleycorns
Therefore, 5 inches equals 15 barleycorns.
Common Barleycorn to Inch Conversions
| Barleycorns (bc) | Inches (in) | Decimal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bc | 1/3 in | 0.3333 in |
| 3 bc | 1 in | 1.0000 in |
| 6 bc | 2 in | 2.0000 in |
| 9 bc | 3 in | 3.0000 in |
| 12 bc | 4 in | 4.0000 in |
| 15 bc | 5 in | 5.0000 in |
| 30 bc | 10 in | 10.0000 in |
| 60 bc | 20 in | 20.0000 in |
| 90 bc | 30 in | 30.0000 in |
| 120 bc | 40 in | 40.0000 in |
| 150 bc | 50 in | 50.0000 in |
| 300 bc | 100 in | 100.0000 in |
Extended Conversion Reference
| Barleycorns | Inches | Barleycorns | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 bc | 0.1667 in | 18 bc | 6.0000 in |
| 1 bc | 0.3333 in | 21 bc | 7.0000 in |
| 2 bc | 0.6667 in | 24 bc | 8.0000 in |
| 3 bc | 1.0000 in | 27 bc | 9.0000 in |
| 4 bc | 1.3333 in | 36 bc | 12.0000 in |
| 5 bc | 1.6667 in | 45 bc | 15.0000 in |
| 10 bc | 3.3333 in | 75 bc | 25.0000 in |
| 15 bc | 5.0000 in | 100 bc | 33.3333 in |
Visual Comparison
1 Barleycorn
Approximately 8.5 mm
3 Barleycorns
Exactly one inch
12 Barleycorns
One hand (horse measurement)
36 Barleycorns
One foot
Historical Context
The barleycorn has a rich history in British measurement systems. In the tenth century, the Welsh Laws of Hywel Dda stated that three barleycorns made an inch. This was later codified in English law through The Composition of Yards and Perches statute between 1266 and 1303, which confirmed that three grains of barley, dry and round, made one inch, and twelve inches made one foot.
In 1324, King Edward II issued an official decree that established the barleycorn as a standard unit of measure and warned that regional discrepancies would no longer be tolerated. This standardisation was crucial for trade and commerce across medieval England.
Despite the inherent variability of actual barley grains in nature, the barleycorn unit became standardised at exactly one-third of an inch. Shoemakers adopted this system, and it evolved into the basis for shoe sizing that remains in use throughout Britain today. Each UK shoe size increment represents one barleycorn, creating a consistent and logical sizing system.
Barleycorns in Modern Shoe Sizing
The most prevalent modern application of the barleycorn is in footwear sizing. In the UK shoe sizing system, consecutive sizes differ by one barleycorn. A size 1 children’s shoe measures 12 barleycorns (4 inches) in length, and each subsequent size adds one barleycorn.
For adult shoes, the sizing continues this pattern. The relationship between foot length and shoe size follows a specific formula where the size number relates to the number of barleycorns minus a constant offset. This system provides a standardised method for shoe manufacturers and retailers across Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many barleycorns are in one inch?
There are exactly 3 barleycorns in one inch. This is the official definition within the imperial measurement system. Conversely, one barleycorn equals one-third of an inch (0.3333 inches).
Is a barleycorn still relevant today?
Yes, the barleycorn remains highly relevant in the British shoe industry. UK shoe sizes are based on the barleycorn, with each size increment representing one barleycorn (approximately 8.5 mm). It’s also occasionally referenced in traditional crafts and historical measurements.
What is the metric equivalent of a barleycorn?
One barleycorn equals approximately 8.466 millimetres or 0.8466 centimetres. This is derived from the inch-to-metric conversion, where 1 inch equals 25.4 mm, and therefore 1 barleycorn (⅓ inch) equals 8.466 mm.
Why is it called a barleycorn?
The unit is called a barleycorn because it was originally based on the length of an actual grain of barley. Medieval laws specified that three grains of barley, dry and round, placed end to end would measure one inch. Though actual barley grains vary in size, the barleycorn became standardised at exactly ⅓ inch.
How do I convert barleycorns to feet?
To convert barleycorns to feet, first convert to inches by dividing by 3, then convert inches to feet by dividing by 12. Alternatively, divide barleycorns by 36 directly (since there are 36 barleycorns in one foot). For example, 72 barleycorns ÷ 36 = 2 feet.
Are barleycorns used outside the UK?
Barleycorns are primarily associated with British imperial measurements and UK shoe sizing. Whilst the imperial system is used in some other countries, the barleycorn unit itself is most commonly referenced and applied within the United Kingdom, particularly in traditional trades and footwear manufacturing.
What is the difference between barleycorns and inches?
The key difference is scale: one inch is three times larger than one barleycorn. Inches are a more commonly used imperial unit for general measurements, whilst barleycorns are specialised and primarily used in shoe sizing. Both are part of the imperial measurement system.
Can I measure objects in barleycorns?
Technically yes, you can measure any length in barleycorns, though it’s rarely done outside of shoe sizing contexts. For most practical purposes, inches, feet, or metric units are more conventional. However, if you have a measurement in barleycorns, our converter can help you translate it to more common units.
Related Length Conversions
If you’re working with barleycorns, you might also need these related imperial and metric length conversions:
- Barleycorns to Centimetres: Multiply by 0.8466 (1 bc = 0.8466 cm)
- Barleycorns to Millimetres: Multiply by 8.466 (1 bc = 8.466 mm)
- Barleycorns to Feet: Divide by 36 (36 bc = 1 ft)
- Inches to Feet: Divide by 12 (12 in = 1 ft)
- Inches to Centimetres: Multiply by 2.54 (1 in = 2.54 cm)
- Feet to Metres: Multiply by 0.3048 (1 ft = 0.3048 m)