crossword clue unit of length – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the crossword clue 'unit of length', you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, complete with explanations and categorized by letter count, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and accurately.
Solutions for "crossword clue unit of length" by Letter Count
3 Letters
ROD: A historical unit of length, equal to 16.5 feet or 5.0292 meters, often used in surveying.
4 Letters
FOOT: A common imperial and U.S. customary unit of length, equal to 12 inches or approximately 30.48 centimeters.
YARD: An imperial and U.S. customary unit of length, equal to 3 feet or 36 inches, often used for fabric or short distances.
INCH: A unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot or 2.54 centimeters.
MILE: A common imperial unit of distance, equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards.
SPAN: An old unit of length, typically the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger when the hand is outstretched (about 9 inches).
PICA: A unit of measurement in typography, equal to 12 points or about 4.23 millimeters.
5 Letters
METER: The base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), approximately 39.37 inches.
CUBIT: An ancient unit of length, typically 18 to 22 inches, based on the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
CHAIN: A unit of length, 66 feet or 22 yards, used in surveying and representing 1/10 of a furlong.
POINT: A small unit of measurement in typography, equal to 1/12 of a pica or approximately 0.35 mm.
6 Letters
LEAGUE: A historical unit of distance, typically varying from 3 to 4.5 miles (4.8 to 7.2 km).
PARSEC: A unit of distance used in astronomy, equivalent to about 3.26 light-years.
MICRON: An older term for micrometer, a unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter.
7 Letters
FURLONG: A unit of distance in imperial and U.S. customary systems, equal to 1/8 of a mile or 220 yards.
CALIBRE: A unit of measurement for the internal diameter of a gun barrel or the diameter of a bullet.
8 Letters
ANGSTROM: A unit of length equal to one hundred-millionth of a centimeter, used especially in expressing the wavelengths of light.
9 Letters
KILOMETER: A unit of length equal to one thousand meters, commonly used for measuring road distances.
LIGHTYEAR: A unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
NANOMETER: A unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter, commonly used for atomic and molecular scales.
10 Letters
CENTIMETER: A unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter.
MILLIMETER: A unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter.
12 Letters
NAUTICALMILE: A unit of distance used in navigation, equal to 1,852 meters (approximately 1.15 statute miles).
More About "Unit of Length" in Crosswords
The clue "unit of length" is a common staple in crosswords, often challenging solvers due to the sheer diversity of possible answers. From ancient measures like the CUBIT and ROD to modern metric units like the METER and KILOMETER, and imperial standards such as the FOOT and YARD, the range is vast. This variety allows constructors to fit various letter counts into their grids.
Understanding the context of the clue can be crucial. Sometimes, the puzzle might hint at a specific system (e.g., "Metric measure"), or a historical period (e.g., "Old measure"). Familiarity with both common and obscure units, as well as their abbreviations, will greatly assist in solving these types of clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count the Letters: Always start by checking the number of letters required for the answer. This is the most crucial step in narrowing down possibilities for "unit of length" clues.
- Consider the System: Is the puzzle leaning towards metric (METER, KILOMETER) or imperial (FOOT, YARD, MILE) units? The overall theme or other clues in the puzzle might provide hints.
- Think Historically: Some crosswords love to include older or less common units of measurement like ROD, CUBIT, or FURLONG. Don't overlook these historical terms.
- Check Cross-References: If you have a few letters filled in from intersecting words, use them to confirm or narrow down your choices for the unit of length.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common unit of length in crosswords?
Often, answers like "METER", "FOOT", or "YARD" appear frequently due to their common usage and varying letter counts, making them versatile for different puzzle layouts.
How can I identify a unit of length in a crossword clue?
Look for words in the clue that suggest measurement, distance, or a specific system (e.g., "metric", "imperial", "old measure"). Common indicator words include "measure," "distance," "length," or even abstract terms implying quantity.
Are all length units metric?
No, units like "FOOT," "YARD," and "MILE" are part of the imperial or U.S. customary systems. "METER" and "KILOMETER" are prime examples of metric units of length, while others like "CUBIT" and "ROD" are historical or archaic.