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foot to hand – How to convert ft to h
The conversion from foot to hand is important in the equestrian world. While the foot is a standard imperial unit for general use, the hand is the traditional measure for horse height. Learning how to convert ft to h helps translate common units into the language of horse breeding, racing, and veterinary practice.
What is a Foot (ft)?
A foot equals 12 inches or exactly 0.3048 meters. It is commonly used in construction, personal height, and everyday measurements across imperial-using countries.
What is a Hand (h)?
A hand equals 4 inches or 0.1016 meters. It has been used for centuries in horse measurement, and even today horse heights are expressed in hands, often with fractions for extra inches (for example, 15.2 h means 15 hands and 2 inches).
How to Convert ft to h
The formula is:hand = foot × 3
For example, let’s convert 5 ft into hands:hand = 5 × 3 = 15 h
So, a horse measuring 5 ft tall is 15 h.
For more calculations, try the Length Converter or explore additional measurement options in the Conversion Tools.
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Do you know?
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The hand has been used since ancient Egypt, where it represented the width of a human palm.
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Today, horse heights are still recorded in hands in countries like the U.K., U.S., and Australia.
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A Shetland pony may stand around 10 h (about 40 in), while a thoroughbred racehorse may reach 16–17 h.
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The tallest horse ever recorded, Big Jake, stood at 20.2 h (about 82.75 in, or nearly 7 ft tall).
From Farms to Race Tracks
The conversion from feet to hands keeps measurements consistent in the equestrian world. While veterinarians and engineers may use metric units for precision, breeders and riders rely on hands for tradition and clarity.
For example, converting a horse measured at 5.5 ft into hands (16.5 h) allows horse owners to compare sizes quickly and easily.
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Tradition Meets Modern Measurement
The conversion from foot to hand demonstrates how traditional units survive alongside modern systems. Hands remain the universal standard for horses, while feet are still used in everyday contexts.
With this quick formula, you can confidently shift between feet and hands, whether in stables, competitions, or breeding records.
