Finnish Units of Measurement - Length

Length

Table of length units
Unit Relative
value		 Metric
value		 Imperial
value		 Notes
linja 1/144 ~2.06 mm ~0.081 in The width of barleycorn.
tuuma 1/12 ~24.74 mm ~0.97 in The width of thumb. Metrinen tuuma = 25 mm.
vaaksa 1/2 ~148.44 mm ~5.84 in The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended. Today defined as 150 mm.
jalka 1 ~296.9 mm ~11.68 in The length of a human foot.
kyynärä 2 ~593.76 mm ~1.94 ft The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. The usual unit on measuring everyday lengths. Metrinen kyynärä = 500 mm.
syli 6 ~1.8 m ~5.9 ft Fathom; the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally to the sides. In maritime, syli is 1/1000 of nautical mile (1.852 m).
vakomitta 120 ~213.6 m ~700.78 ft The furrow's length on field.
virsta 600 ~1068.84 m ~0.66 mi 2672 m (Swedish) 1068.84 m (Finnish). Related to the Russian verst.
peninkulma (old) 3000 ~5344.2 m ~3.32 mi Before year 1600 5 virsta; after 1600 10 virsta. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
peninkulma (new) 6000 ~10.6884 km ~6.64 mi Before year 1600 5 virsta; after 1600 10 virsta. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
päivämatka 12,000 ~20 km ~12.42 mi The distance of one day's travel.

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