Traditional Mongolian Units Converter
Convert traditional Mongolian distance, length, weight, 12 animal-hour time cycle, and number-name units into the modern metric system.
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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.
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: Khumsnii tolio (1 - 1.2 cm): Argamjaany gazar (20 - 50 m): Numbers are shown as .
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'.