ell

unit of measurement

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The ell was a historical unit of length, primarily used in Europe for measuring cloth. It was commonly equal to 45 inches, or about 1.14 meters.1

During the Middle Ages, measurement systems varied significantly across regions. Despite efforts to standardize units, such as those by Charlemagne, numerous national and regional variations persisted. The ell serves as a good example of this inconsistency. While the ell of Champagne was standardized at two feet six inches for wool cloth, a major trading staple, the ell itself had different lengths in other parts of Europe. The origin of the word "ell" can be traced back to ancient terms for forearm or elbow, reflecting early methods of measurement.21

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measurement system
Medieval systems
A good example is the ell, the universal measure for wool cloth, the great trading staple of the Middle Ages. The ell of Champagne, two feet six inches, measured against an iron standard in the hands of the Keeper of the Fair, was accepted by Ypres and Ghent, both in…
Read More
A good example is the ell, the universal measure for wool cloth, the great trading staple of the Middle Ages. The ell of Champagne, two feet six inches, measured against an iron standard in the hands of the Keeper of the Fair, was accepted by Ypres and Ghent, both in…
Read More