Rod (length unit)

For other uses of this term see Rod.

The rod is a unit of Anglo-Saxon length used to measure terrain. Etymology and uses

It is also known as "perch" or "pole". However, although its total length is the same (5.5 yards or 5.0292 meters), it is sometimes understood that when using the words pole or rod, it is referring to the length, and if perch is used a unit of area or, in medieval architecture, a unit of volume. Actually this use is not completely correct, since for length one should use "pole", "rod" or "perch"; for surface: "rod", "pole" or "perch" squares; and none of these terms would be appropriate for volume.

Even so, in Sri Lanka the term "perch" remains a surface standard equivalent to 25 m². And, in the case of the medieval perch, is the volume of a masonry wall of 1 perch (5.0292 m) long, 18 inches (45.72 cm) high and 12 inches (30.48 cm) wide , which is equal to a total volume of 24,75 ft³ (cubic feet) or 0.700841953152 m³ (700.841953152 liters).

Finally, in Spanish this term is translated like rod ("pole" and "perch"), but it should not be confused with the measure of old Spanish length, called vara, that goes from 0, 7704 at 0.8380 meters. For this reason, in some translations of books written in English (as The Pillars of the Earth), it has been preferred to retain the English word pole, which refers to both the unit of length and the rod of iron of this length that the master mason used to measure. Equivalences

A rod is equal to 5.0292 meters, and also to:

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