Egyptian Cubit to Feet Converter

Instant, two-way conversion across common engineering units.

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1 meh = 1.7178478 ft(Egyptian Cubit (Meh)Foot)

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Converting Egyptian cubits to feet

To convert Egyptian cubits to feet, multiply the value by approximately 1.7178. Ancient units were reconstructed from surviving rods, buildings and written sources, so treat every result as a close approximation rather than an exact figure. Historical measurements varied by period and region, so this converter uses commonly accepted reference values.

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1 Egyptian cubit is approximately 1.7178 feet.

1 foot is approximately 0.58212 Egyptian cubits.

Egyptian Cubit (meh)

The Egyptian royal cubit, or meh, was the principal building unit of ancient Egypt.

Historical context
Divided into 7 palms of 4 digits each, it is preserved on surviving cubit rods and is consistently reconstructed at about 523.6 mm.
Where it was used
Used to set out pyramids, temples and canals, and for land survey after the annual Nile flood.
Approximate modern equivalent
Approximately 0.5236 m, roughly 52.4 cm or 20.6 inches.

Feet (ft)

The foot (ft) equals 12 inches and is the main building unit in US practice.

Origin
An old body-based unit standardized in 1959 as exactly 0.3048 m across English-speaking countries.
Where it is used
Used for floor-to-floor heights, spans, room sizes and setting out on US and partly UK construction projects.
Relation to SI
1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly.

Frequently asked questions

How many feet are in one Egyptian cubit?

1 meh is approximately 1.7178 ft.

How do I convert Egyptian cubits to feet?

Multiply the value by approximately 1.7178. For example, 10 meh is approximately 17.178 ft.

How do I convert back from feet to Egyptian cubits?

1 ft is approximately 0.58212 meh. The converter above works in both directions, so you can type into either field.

Why do historical measurements vary?

Ancient units were tied to body proportions and local standards rather than a central definition, so their length drifted between regions, workshops and centuries.

How accurate are these historical values?

Historical measurements varied by period and region. This converter uses commonly accepted reference values for educational and professional use, so every result should be read as an approximation rather than an exact equivalence.

Why are ancient units still referenced today?

They explain the proportions of surviving buildings. Reading a temple or basilica in its original unit reveals design grids that look arbitrary in meters.

Is this length converter free to use?

Yes. Every unit conversion runs in your browser, needs no account and is free for professional use.

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