Traditional Mongolian Units Converter

Convert traditional Mongolian distance, length, weight, 12 animal-hour time cycle, and number-name units into the modern metric system.

FromTo

Value

1 full hand span =

19 cm

Traditional units

Khumsnii tolio (nail tip)1 – 1.2 cm

1 huruu (1 finger)1 – 1.5 cm

Yamh (thumb width)3.2 – 3.5 cm

2 huruu (2 fingers)3 – 5 cm

3 huruu (3 fingers)4.5 – 5 cm

4 huruu (4 fingers)5.5 – 6.5 cm

Barim (grip)8 – 9 cm

Alga daram (palm width)9 – 10 cm

Mukhar söm (short span)12 – 14 cm

Üzüür söm (thumb-to-index)16 – 18 cm

Töö (full hand span)18 – 20 cm

Mukhar tokhoi (elbow to fist)30 – 35 cm

Üzüür tokhoi (elbow to fingertip)40 – 45 cm

Delem (shoulder to fingertip)90 – 100 cm

Ald (arm-span)150 – 180 cm

Unit sizes varied slightly across regions and eras. This converter uses the midpoint of documented ranges.

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Quick answers

How many centimeters is 1 töö (төө)?

1 töö ≈ 18–20 cm — the span between the tips of the extended thumb and middle finger.

How many centimeters is 1 sööm (сөөм)?

A tip sööm is ≈ 16–18 cm and a blunt sööm ≈ 12–14 cm — the span between the thumb and index finger.

How many meters is 1 ald (алд)?

1 ald ≈ 1.5–1.8 m — the distance between the fingertips of both arms stretched out to the sides.

How many centimeters is 1 delem (дэлэм)?

1 delem ≈ 90–100 cm, half an ald — from the fingertips of one outstretched arm to the middle of the chest.

How many grams is 1 lan (tael)?

1 lan = 37.301 g. Gold and silver in Mongolia are commonly weighed in lan: 5 lan of gold ≈ 186.5 g. 16 lan make 1 jin.

How many grams is 1 tsen?

1 tsen = 3.7301 g — one tenth of a lan. The weight of small jewelry such as rings and earrings is usually quoted in tsen.

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How to use

1
Pick one of the five tabs at the top: Distance, Length, Weight, Time, or Number.
2
In Distance/Length/Weight, choose the two units and type a value — the result updates instantly. A list of traditional units ordered smallest to largest appears below.
3
The Time tab takes a clock time and tells you which of the 12 animal hours it falls into. All 12 hours are shown below for reference.
4
The Number tab maps Mongolian number names (Dan, Aravt, Myangat, Sayat, Terbum, …) to their power-of-10 values.

Formula

Traditional units are ranges, so this converter uses the midpoint. For example, Töö is documented as 18-20 cm, so: 1 t \overset{o}{¨} \overset{o}{¨} = \frac{18 + 20}{2} = 19 cm Khumsnii tolio (1 - 1.2 cm): \frac{1.0 + 1.2}{2} = 1.1 cm Argamjaany gazar (20 - 50 m): \frac{20 + 50}{2} = 35 m Numbers are shown as 1 0^{n} .

Frequently asked questions

Why do traditional units have ranges?

Units like 'rope length', 'sheep's pasture', töö and ald come from body parts or how far a herder's eye can see livestock, so they vary by person, animal and terrain. This converter uses the midpoint of each documented range.

What is the 12-hour animal cycle?

The traditional Mongolian calendar divides a day into 12 double-hours, each named after one of 12 animals. Each spans 2 hours (e.g. Horse hour = 11:40 – 13:40).

Where do the Mongolian number names come from?

They were transmitted from Indian Sanskrit tradition through Buddhist scripture and go up to 10⁶⁶. 'Setgeshgüi' (10⁶⁶) literally means 'unthinkably many'.

How many grams is 1 jin?

1 jin = 596.816 g — roughly 0.6 kg — and equals 16 lan. Tea, tobacco and meat were traditionally traded by the jin.

What time is the Horse hour (mori tsag)?

The Horse hour is 11:40–13:40, around midday. The traditional day is divided into 12 double-hours named after the zodiac animals, each spanning two modern hours: Rat 23:40–01:40, Dragon 07:40–09:40, and so on.

How many centimeters is 1 yamkh?

1 yamkh ≈ 3.2–3.5 cm — about the width of a thumb, slightly larger than an inch (2.54 cm). It was used for the thickness of wood and felt.