Medieval Glossary

Span

A span is an English measurement of length equal to nine inches. The span is one quarter (1/4) of a yard, and it corresponds to the length between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the pinky/little finger in a hand with the thumb and fingers completely extended and spread out.

Related term(s): Inch; Yard; Cubit; Finger
Category: Weights and Measures
Added: 10.05.04
Source information: Nicholson, Edward. Men and Measures. London: Smith, Elder, and Company, 1912. (p. 1, 58)

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