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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
In ], approximate '''units of measure''' derived from body parts and were used for a long time, some being later standardised for the purpose of commerce. Some ], and later some ] units have also been used.
{{More citations needed|date=March 2022}}


The '''obsolete Finnish units of measurement''' consist mostly of a variety of units traditionally used in ] that are similar to those that were traditionally used in other countries and are still used in the United Kingdom (]) and the United States (]).
The measurements were first standardized in the law of 1665 and revised 1735. Before that, the measurements varied from town to town. The units used in town of ] were unusually large; the proverb ''mitata Porvoon mitalla'' (to measure in Porvoo units) means to measure in excess or generously.


Very few of these units are sometimes still used in everyday speech and even when buying and measuring things as shorthand for similar amounts in the metric system. For example, ''kappa'' (sometimes called ''isokappa'') is still used at markets to measure exactly five liters of potatoes. When ordering firewood, some customers (and even dealers) use ''syli'' to refer to a cubic meter, but some old people use the term to refer to various much larger amounts of firewood.
Certain units were standardized to Metric in 1861; Finland converted fully to Metric system 1880.


Most Finnish obsolete units of measurement were identical to ], including units of length being based on the Swedish "foot" (29.69 cm) that was defined in 1605, since Finland was part of Sweden from the Middle Ages to 1809, but later some ] units were also used.
== Units of length ==


The measurements were first standardized by law in 1665 and were revised in 1735. Before this, measurements often varied between towns. The king's bailiff in the town of ], for example, used two sets of measures: a big one for collecting tax in kind from the populace and a smaller set to remit the assets to the king, keeping the difference for himself.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} However, nowadays the proverb ''mitata Porvoon mitalla'' (to measure in Porvoo units) has a positive meaning of measuring in excess or generously.
*''linja'' – (2.06 mm) The width of barleycorn, 1/12th of ''tuuma''
*''tuuma'' – (24.74 mm) The width of tumb, 1/6th of ''vaaksa'' or 1/12th of ''jalka''. ''Metrinen tuuma'' = 25 mm.
*''vaaksa'' – (148.44 mm) The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended. 6 ''tuuma'' or 1/2 ''jalka''. Today defined as 150 mm.
*''jalka'' – (296.9 mm) The length of human foot. 1/2 ''kyynärä''.
*''kyynärä'' – (593.76 mm) The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. ''Metrinen kyynärä'' = 500 mm.
*''syli'' – Fathom, (c. 180 cm) the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally on the sides. In maritime, ''syli'' is 1/1000th of ] (1.852 m)
*''vakomitta'' – (213.6 m) The furrow's length on field. 1/5 ''virsta''
*''virsta'' – 2672 m (Swedish) 1068.84 m (Finnish). 1/10th ''peninkulma''.
*''peninkulma'' – (before 1600 5 ''virsta'' (5344.2 m, after 1600 10 ''virsta'' (10 688.4 m) The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
*''päivämatka'' – (c. 20 km) The distance of one day's travel. 2 ''peninkulma'' or 20 ''virsta''.


Certain units were standardized to the ] in 1861, and Finland fully converted to the metric system in 1880.
== Units of weight ==
*''luoti'' – (13.95 g); the weight of a musket ball. 1/2 ''unssi''
*''unssi'' – (27.9 g). 1/8 of ''markka'' or 1/16th of ''naula''
*''markka'' – (213.8 g). 1/2 of ''naula''. Name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861-2002
*''naula'' – (425.6 g). 1/20 of ''leiviskä''; ''metrinen naula'' = 500 g
*''leiviskä'' – (8.5004 kg). 1/5 of ''sentneri''; ''metrinen leiviskä'' = 10 kg
*''sentneri'' – (42.56 kg): 100 ''naula''. ''Senttaali'' = 200 ''metrinen naula'' or 100 kg.
*''kippunta'' – (170 kg); 20 ''leiviskä'' or 400 ''naula''.


== Units of area == ==Length==
*''kannunala'' &ndash; (88.15 m<sup>2</sup>). 1000 square ''jalka''.
*''kapanala'' &ndash; (154 m<sup>2</sup>) 1/32 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one bushel of grain.
*''panninala'' &ndash; (2464 m<sup>2</sup>) 16 ''kapanala'', 1/2 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one ''panni'' of grain,
*''tynnyrinala'' &ndash; (4936.5 m<sup>2</sup>) The area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain.
*''äyrityisenmaa'' &ndash; 3 926 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyrityinen'' for taxation
*''äyrinmaa'' &ndash; 11 777 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyri'' for taxation.
*''penninginmaa'' &ndash; 490 790 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''penninki'' for taxation.


{| class="wikitable"
== Units of volume ==
|+ Table of length units
*''jumpru'' &ndash; 0.818 cl. 1/4 of ''kortteli''.
|-
*''kortteli'' &ndash; Used for both length (14.845 cm, same as ''vaaksa'') and volume (3.2715 dl). Name derives from Swedish ''kvartdel'', meaning "quarter". As unit of length 1/4 of ''kyynärä''.
! Unit
*''tuoppi'' &ndash; (1.3274 l). 1/2 of ''kannu''.
! Relative<br>value
*''kannu'' &ndash; (2.6172 l). 1/2 of ''kappa''. Also called ''pikkukappa'' (exactly 2.5 l)
! Metric<br>value
*''kappa'' &ndash; (5.4961 l) Still in use (rectified as exactly 5 liters) as ''kappa'' or ''isokappa'' at market places to measure potatoes.
! Imperial<br>value
*''ankkuri'' &ndash; (39.26 l). 15 ''kannu''. Used for liquids.
! Notes
*''nelikko'' &ndash; (43.986 l). 8 ''kappa''. Used for solids.
|-
*''panni'' &ndash; (87.96 l). 2 ''nelikko'' and 1/2 ''tynnyri''. Used for solids
|align=center| ''linja''
*''tynnyri'' &ndash; (125.6 l) 48 ''kannu''. Barrel for liquids.
|align=right| {{frac|1|144}}
*''tynnyri'' &ndash; (175 l) 32 ''kappa''. Barrel for solids.
|align=left| ~2.06&nbsp;mm
*''lästi'' &ndash; (1507 l) 12 ''tynnyri'' for liquids.
|align=left| ~0.081&nbsp;in
*''lästi'' &ndash; (2110 l) 12 ''tynnyri'' for solids.
|align=left| = Swedish ''linje''; {{frac|1|12}} of a ''tuuma'' (''tum''), i.e. {{frac|1|144}} of a ''jalka'' (''fot'')
|-
|align=center| ''tuuma''
|align=right| {{frac|1|12}}
|align=left| ~24.74&nbsp;mm
|align=left| ~0.97&nbsp;in
|align=left| = Swedish ''tum'', defined as {{frac|1|12}} of a ''jalka'' (''fot''), nominally the width of a thumb. ] translates into ''tuuma'' in Finnish. ''Metrinen tuuma'' = 25&nbsp;mm.
|-
|align=center| ''vaaksa''
|align=right| {{frac|1|2}}
|align=left| ~148.44&nbsp;mm
|align=left| ~5.84&nbsp;in
|align=left| = Swedish ''kvarter'' or ''kvartdel'' (both meaning "quarter"); defined as {{frac|1|4}} of a ''kyynärä'' (''aln'') though originally the distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, with fingers fully extended; today defined as 150&nbsp;mm
|-
|align=center| ''jalka''
|align=right| 1
|align=left| ~296.9&nbsp;mm
|align=left| ~11.68&nbsp;in
|align=left| = Swedish ''fot'', which translates into ''jalka'' in Finnish. It is within 1&nbsp;mm of 296&nbsp;mm, the commonly accepted length of the Roman foot (''pes''), and was defined in law in 1665 for all of Sweden, which then included Finland, as {{frac|1|2}} of a ''kyynärä'' (''aln''), replacing older regional units of length. And it being very similar to a Roman foot was known, since a proclamation from king ] in 1627 referred to the "Roman foot" when ordering the 296.9&nbsp;mm Swedish ''fot'' to be used in the mining areas of central Sweden <ref> in ] (first edition 1876-1899). Retrieved 20 February 2022</ref>
|-
|align=center| ''kyynärä''
|align=right| 2
|align=left| ~593.8&nbsp;mm
|align=left| ~1.94&nbsp;ft
|align=left| = Swedish ''aln'', 2 ''jalka'' (''fot''), nominally the distance from the elbow to the fingertips; the unit of length used for measuring everyday lengths, and the base measure that all other units of length, both longer and shorter, were based on. Defined in law in 1605, replacing older regional units of length, based on an ''aln'' that had been used in southern Sweden for at least 500 years by then. ''Metrinen kyynärä'' = 500&nbsp;mm. Cf. '']'' and '']''.
|-
|align=center| ''syli''
|align=right| 6
|align=left| ~1.78&nbsp;m
|align=left| ~5.84&nbsp;ft
|align=left| = Swedish ''famn'', defined as 3 ''kyynärä'' (''aln''), though nominally the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally to the sides. In maritime contexts, ''syli'' is {{frac|1|1,000}} of ] (1.852&nbsp;m). Cf. ]
|-
|align=center| ''vakomitta''
|align=right| 720
|align=left| ~213.6&nbsp;m
|align=left| ~700.78&nbsp;ft
|align=left| The furrow's length on a field. Cf. ].
|-
|align=center| ''virsta''
|align=right| 3,600
|align=left| ~1,068.84&nbsp;m
|align=left| ~0.66&nbsp;mi
|align=left| {{frac|1|10}} of a Swedish ''mil''; the Finnish name is related to the Russian '']'', which was of almost exactly the same length
|-
|align=center| ''ruotsinvirsta''
|align=right| 9,000
|align=left| ~2,672.1&nbsp;m
|align=left| ~1.66&nbsp;mi
|align=left| = Swedish ''fjärdingsväg'', {{frac|1|4}} of a ''peninkulma'' (''mil''); referred to as ''ruotsinvirsta'' (Swedish ''virsta'') in Finnish during the 19th C
|-
|align=center| ''peninkulma'' (old)
|align=right|
|align=left| ~6,000&nbsp;m
|align=left| ~3.73&nbsp;mi
|align=left| Old unit of length used in what today is Finland until replaced by the new ''peninkulma'' below during the 17th C
|-
|align=center| ''peninkulma'' (new)
|align=right| 36,000
|align=left| ~10.6884&nbsp;km
|align=left| ~6.64&nbsp;mi
|align=left| = pre-metric Swedish '']'', defined as 18,000 ''kyynärä'' (''aln'')
|-
|align=center| ''päivämatka''
|align=right| 72,000
|align=left| ~20&nbsp;km
|align=left| ~12.42&nbsp;mi
|align=left| = Swedish ''dagsresa'', literally "one day's travel"; by law the maximum distance between ]s along main long-distance roads
|}


== Maritime units == ===Maritime units===


*''meripeninkulma'' &ndash; 1852 m. Same as ]. One angular minute at equator. *''meripeninkulma'' &ndash; 1,852&nbsp;m. Same as ]. One angular minute at equator.
*''kaapelinmitta'' &ndash; 185.2 m. 1/10 of a nautical mile. *''kaapelinmitta'' &ndash; 185.2&nbsp;m. {{frac|1|10}} of a nautical mile.
*''syli'' &ndash; 1.852 m. 1/1000 of a nautical mile. Seldom used. *''syli'' &ndash; 1.852&nbsp;m. {{frac|1|1,000}} of a nautical mile. Used for measuring depth.
*''solmu'' &ndash; nautoval miles per hour. Speed unit. *''solmu'' &ndash; nautical miles per hour. Same as ]. Speed unit.


Obsolete: Obsolete:


*''merisekunti''* &ndash; 30.8666 m. 1/60 of nautical mile *''merisekunti''* &ndash; 30.8666&nbsp;m. {{frac|1|60}} of nautical mile
*''meritertia''* &ndash; 0.51444 m. 1/3600 of nautical mile *''meritertia''* &ndash; 0.51444&nbsp;m. {{frac|1|3,600}} of nautical mile

==Area==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table of area units
|-
! Unit
! Relative<br>value
! Metric<br>value
! Imperial<br>value
! Notes
|-
|align=center| ''kannunala''
|align=center| {{frac|1|56}}
|align=left| ~88.15&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
|align=left| ~948.83&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft (105.43&nbsp;sq&nbsp;yd)
|align=left| = Swedish ''kannland'', defined as {{frac|1|56}} of a ''tynnyrinala'' (''tunnland'') and thus equal to 1,000 square ''jalka'' (''fot'')
|-
|align=center| ''kapanala''
|align=center| {{frac|1|32}}
|align=left| ~154.26&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
|align=left| ~1,660.46&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft (184.5&nbsp;sq&nbsp;yd)
|align=left| = Swedish ''kappland'', defined as {{frac|1|32}} of a ''tynnyrinala'' (''tunnland'') and thus equal to 1,750 square ''jalka'' (''fot'')
|-
|align=center| ''panninala''
|align=center| {{frac|1|2}}
|align=left| ~2,468.19&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
|align=left| ~26,537.37&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft (2,951.93&nbsp;sq&nbsp;yd)
|align=left| = Swedish ''spannland'', defined as {{frac|1|2}} of a ''tynnyrinala'' (''tunnland'') and thus equal to 16 ''kapanala'' (''kappland''), or 28,000 square ''jalka'' (''fot'')
|-
|align=center| ''tynnyrinala''
|align=center| 1
|align=left| ~4,936.38&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>
|align=left| ~53,134.7&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft (5,903.85&nbsp;sq&nbsp;yd or ~1.22 acres)
|align=left| = Swedish ''tunnland'', defined as 14,000 square ''kyynärä'' (''aln''), i.e. 56,0000 square ''jalka'' (''fot''); nominally the area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain
|}

==Volume==
===Dry measure===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table of volume (dry) units
|-
! Unit
! Relative<br>value
! Metric<br>value
! Imperial<br>value
! Notes
|-
|align=center| ''jumpru''
|align=right| {{frac|1|16}}
|align=left| ~81.8&nbsp;ml
|align=left| ~2.9 ]
|align=right| From Swedish ''jungfru'', virgin. Also for liquids.
|-
|align=center| ''kortteli''
|align=right| {{frac|1|4}}
|align=left| ~327.15&nbsp;ml
|align=left| ~11.51&nbsp;fl.&nbsp;oz.
|align=right| Used for both length (14.845&nbsp;cm, same as ''vaaksa'') and volume. Name derives from Swedish ''kvartdel'', meaning "quarter". As unit of length {{frac|1|4}} of ''kyynärä''.
|-
|align=center| ''tuoppi''
|align=right| 1
|align=left| ~1.3274&nbsp;L
|align=left| ~46.72&nbsp;fl.&nbsp;oz (2.336&nbsp;])
|align=right| Literally ''tankard''. Also for liquids.
|-
|align=center| ''kannu''
|align=right| 2
|align=left| ~2.6172&nbsp;L
|align=left| ~4.61&nbsp;pt
|align=right| Lit. "jug". Also called ''pikkukappa'' (exactly 2.5&nbsp;L).
|-
|align=center| ''kappa''
|align=right| 4
|align=left| ~5.4961&nbsp;L
|align=left| 9.67&nbsp;pt (4.84&nbsp;])
|align=right| Still in use (as exactly 5 liters) as ''kappa'' or ''isokappa'' at market places to measure potatoes.
|-
|align=center| ''nelikko''
|align=right| 32
|align=left| ~43.986&nbsp;L
|align=left| 38.72&nbsp;qt (9.68&nbsp;])
|align=right| Used for dry measure.
|-
|align=center| ''panni''
|align=right| 64
|align=left| ~87.96&nbsp;L
|align=left| 19.36&nbsp;gal.
|align=right| Used for dry measure.
|-
|align=center| ''tynnyri''
|align=right| 128
|align=left| ~175&nbsp;L
|align=left| 38.49&nbsp;gal.
|align=right| Barrel for dry measure.
|-
|align=center| ''lästi''
|align=right| 1,536
|align=left| ~2,110&nbsp;L
|align=left| 464.14&nbsp;gal.
|align=right| Used for dry measure.
|}

===Liquid measure===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table of volume (liquid) units
|-
! Unit
! Relative<br>value
! Metric<br>value
! Imperial<br>value
! Notes
|-
|align=center| ''jumpru''
|align=center| {{frac|1|16}}
|align=left| ~81.78&nbsp;ml
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''jungfru'', meaning maiden/virgin
|-
|align=center| ''kortteli''
|align=center| {{frac|1|4}}
|align=left| ~327.1&nbsp;ml
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''kvarter'', also written as ''kvartdel'', both meaning quarter; a name used for both length, as a quarter of a ''kyynärä'' (''aln''), and volume, as a quarter of a ''tuoppi'' (''stop'')
|-
|align=center| ''tuoppi''
|align=center| 1
|align=left| ~1.3085&nbsp;l
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''stop'', meaning ''tankard''; used for liquids
|-
|align=center| ''kannu''
|align=center| 2
|align=left| ~2.617&nbsp;l
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''kanna'', meaning ''jug''; also called ''pikkukappa'' (exactly 2.5&nbsp;L)
|-
|align=center| ''kappa''
|align=center| 4
|align=left| ~5.234&nbsp;l
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''kappe'' / ''kappa''; also used for dry substances.
|-
|align=center| ''ankkuri''
|align=center| 30
|align=left| ~39.255&nbsp;L
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''ankare'', literally meaning "anchor"; used for liquids
|-
|align=center| ''tynnyri''
|align=center| 96
|align=left| ~125.616&nbsp;L
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''tunna''; barrel for liquid measure. There were also several other sizes of barrel in common use, each standardized for a specific type of content.
|-
|align=center| ''lästi''
|align=center| 1,152
|align=left| ~1,507.4&nbsp;L
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''läst''; used for liquid measure, equalling 12 ''tynnyri'' (''tunna''). There were also other sizes of ''lästi'' (''läst'') in common use, each standardized for a specific type of content.
|}

==Mass==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table of mass units
|-
! Unit
! Relative<br>value
! Metric<br>value
! Imperial<br>value
! Notes
|-
|align=center| ''kvintiini''
|align=center| {{frac|1|128}}
|align=left| ~3.321&nbsp;g
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''qvintin'', defined as {{frac|1|4}} of a ''luoti'' (''lod''); there were also a number of gradually even smaller units of mass, mainly used by pharmacists
|-
|align=center| ''luoti''
|align=center| {{frac|1|32}}
|align=left| ~13.283&nbsp;g
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''lod''; when firearms were introduced during the late medieval period it was found that one ''luoti'' (''lod'') of lead was perfect for a musket ball, leading to musket balls also being referred to as ''luoti'' (''lod'')
|-
|align=center| ''unssi''
|align=center| {{frac|1|16}}
|align=left| ~26,566&nbsp;g
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''uns''
|-
|align=center| ''markka''
|align=center| {{frac|1|2}}
|align=left| ~212.538&nbsp;g
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''mark''; the namesake for a medieval Swedish, and through that also Finnish, monetary unit, originally consisting of one ''mark'' silver (cf. ]), and later also the name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861–2002
|-
|align=center| ''naula''
|align=center| 1
|align=left| ~425.076&nbsp;g
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''skålpund'', with the weight given, based on an older ''skålpund viktualievikt'', defined for all of Sweden, including Finland, during major reforms of units of length, area, mass and volume in the early 17th C; ''metrinen naula'' = 500&nbsp;g; the Imperial pound may be translated ''naula'' although ''pauna'' is exact
|-
|align=center| ''leiviskä''
|align=center| 20
|align=left| ~8.501&nbsp;kg
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''lispund'', defined as 20 ''naula'' (''skålpund''); ''metrinen leiviskä'' = 10&nbsp;kg
|-
|align=center| ''sentneri''
|align=center| 100
|align=left| ~42.5076&nbsp;kg
|align=left|
|align=left| Introduced in the mid 19th C, with one ''sentneri'' (''centner'') being 100 ''naula'' (''skålpund''); 1 ''Senttaali'' = 200 ''metrinen naula'' = 100&nbsp;kg.
|-
|align=center| ''kippunta''
|align=center| 400
|align=left| ~170.03&nbsp;kg
|align=left|
|align=left| = Swedish ''skeppspund'', defined as 20 ''leiviskä'' (''lispund'') each of 20 ''naula'' (''skålpund'')
|}


== Miscellaneous == == Miscellaneous ==


* ''kivenheitto'' &ndash; 100 ''kyynärä'' (approx 50 m). Today to describe something to be very near. * ''askel'' (pace) &ndash; Roughly one meter for an adult male—a rough but convenient way to measure distances while walking.
* ''hehto'' – hectoliter, 100 liters, potatoes
* ''poronkusema'' &ndash; (approximately 7.5 km). A Lappish measurement of distance; the distance between the ] needs to urinate. Today to describe something is at very obscure distance away. ''Poronkusemaa kuukaudessa'' ]
* ''kivenheitto'' (Throw of a rock) &ndash; 100 ''kyynärä'' (approx 60&nbsp;m), today used to describe something to be very near (from Swedish ''stenkast'' also literally meaning "throw of a stone/rock")
* ''tusina'' 12
* ''poronkusema'' &ndash; (approximately 7.5&nbsp;km). A ] measurement of distance; the distance a ] can travel before needing to stop to urinate. Today used to describe something that is at a very obscure distance away.
* ''toltti'' 12 (lumber)
* ''Poronkusemaa kuukaudessa'' &ndash; (poronkusemas per month) similar to ], about 2.9&nbsp;mm/s
* ''tiu'' 20 (eggs)
* ''tusina'' &ndash; 12 (from Swedish "dussin" = dozen)
* ''buntta'' 20 (matchboxes)
* ''toltti'' &ndash; 12 (lumber)
* ''kerpo'' 31 (lampreys; 30 as a bunch and one for tying)
* ''tiu'' &ndash; 20 (eggs) (from Swedish ''tjog'', previously used for 20 of anything, not only eggs)
* ''kiihtelys'' 40 (squirrel pelts)
* ''riisi'' 144 (paper sheets) * ''puntti'' &ndash; 20 (matchboxes)
* ''kerpo'' &ndash; 31 (lampreys; 30 as a bunch and one for tying)
* ''tonni'' 1000 (usually refers to 1000 kg, but can refer also anything of 1000, especially money)
* ''krossi'' &ndash; 144 (items) (from Swedish ''gross'' = 12 dozens; originally from French ''douzaine grosse'' meaning "large dozen")
* ''motti'' 1 m<sup>3</sup> (firewood or waste paper)
* ''kiihtelys'' &ndash; 40 (squirrel pelts)
* ''valovuosi'' (]) to describe something is extremely distant or unaccessible
* ''riisi'' &ndash; 500 (paper sheets) (from Swedish ''ris'', with the same meaning)
* ''tonni'' &ndash; 1,000 (usually refers to 1,000&nbsp;kg, but can refer also anything of 1,000, especially money)
* ''motti'' &ndash; 1&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> (firewood or waste paper), also 1&nbsp;dm<sup>3</sup> in "motin pullo", a 1-litre bottle, usually of alcohol


== See also == == See also ==

* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*


{{Systems of measurement}}
== External link ==
*


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

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The obsolete Finnish units of measurement consist mostly of a variety of units traditionally used in Finland that are similar to those that were traditionally used in other countries and are still used in the United Kingdom (imperial units) and the United States (United States customary units).

Very few of these units are sometimes still used in everyday speech and even when buying and measuring things as shorthand for similar amounts in the metric system. For example, kappa (sometimes called isokappa) is still used at markets to measure exactly five liters of potatoes. When ordering firewood, some customers (and even dealers) use syli to refer to a cubic meter, but some old people use the term to refer to various much larger amounts of firewood.

Most Finnish obsolete units of measurement were identical to Swedish units of measurement, including units of length being based on the Swedish "foot" (29.69 cm) that was defined in 1605, since Finland was part of Sweden from the Middle Ages to 1809, but later some Russian units were also used.

The measurements were first standardized by law in 1665 and were revised in 1735. Before this, measurements often varied between towns. The king's bailiff in the town of Porvoo, for example, used two sets of measures: a big one for collecting tax in kind from the populace and a smaller set to remit the assets to the king, keeping the difference for himself. However, nowadays the proverb mitata Porvoon mitalla (to measure in Porvoo units) has a positive meaning of measuring in excess or generously.

Certain units were standardized to the metric system in 1861, and Finland fully converted to the metric system in 1880.

Length

Table of length units
Unit Relative
value 		Metric
value 		Imperial
value 		Notes
linja 1⁄144 ~2.06 mm ~0.081 in = Swedish linje; 1⁄12 of a tuuma (tum), i.e. 1⁄144 of a jalka (fot)
tuuma 1⁄12 ~24.74 mm ~0.97 in = Swedish tum, defined as 1⁄12 of a jalka (fot), nominally the width of a thumb. Inch translates into tuuma in Finnish. Metrinen tuuma = 25 mm.
vaaksa 1⁄2 ~148.44 mm ~5.84 in = Swedish kvarter or kvartdel (both meaning "quarter"); defined as 1⁄4 of a kyynärä (aln) though originally the distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, with fingers fully extended; today defined as 150 mm
jalka 1 ~296.9 mm ~11.68 in = Swedish fot, which translates into jalka in Finnish. It is within 1 mm of 296 mm, the commonly accepted length of the Roman foot (pes), and was defined in law in 1665 for all of Sweden, which then included Finland, as 1⁄2 of a kyynärä (aln), replacing older regional units of length. And it being very similar to a Roman foot was known, since a proclamation from king Gustavus Adolphus in 1627 referred to the "Roman foot" when ordering the 296.9 mm Swedish fot to be used in the mining areas of central Sweden
kyynärä 2 ~593.8 mm ~1.94 ft = Swedish aln, 2 jalka (fot), nominally the distance from the elbow to the fingertips; the unit of length used for measuring everyday lengths, and the base measure that all other units of length, both longer and shorter, were based on. Defined in law in 1605, replacing older regional units of length, based on an aln that had been used in southern Sweden for at least 500 years by then. Metrinen kyynärä = 500 mm. Cf. cubit and ell.
syli 6 ~1.78 m ~5.84 ft = Swedish famn, defined as 3 kyynärä (aln), though nominally the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally to the sides. In maritime contexts, syli is 1⁄1,000 of nautical mile (1.852 m). Cf. fathom
vakomitta 720 ~213.6 m ~700.78 ft The furrow's length on a field. Cf. furlong.
virsta 3,600 ~1,068.84 m ~0.66 mi 1⁄10 of a Swedish mil; the Finnish name is related to the Russian verst, which was of almost exactly the same length
ruotsinvirsta 9,000 ~2,672.1 m ~1.66 mi = Swedish fjärdingsväg, 1⁄4 of a peninkulma (mil); referred to as ruotsinvirsta (Swedish virsta) in Finnish during the 19th C
peninkulma (old) ~6,000 m ~3.73 mi Old unit of length used in what today is Finland until replaced by the new peninkulma below during the 17th C
peninkulma (new) 36,000 ~10.6884 km ~6.64 mi = pre-metric Swedish mil, defined as 18,000 kyynärä (aln)
päivämatka 72,000 ~20 km ~12.42 mi = Swedish dagsresa, literally "one day's travel"; by law the maximum distance between coaching inns along main long-distance roads

Maritime units

  • meripeninkulma – 1,852 m. Same as nautical mile. One angular minute at equator.
  • kaapelinmitta – 185.2 m. 1⁄10 of a nautical mile.
  • syli – 1.852 m. 1⁄1,000 of a nautical mile. Used for measuring depth.
  • solmu – nautical miles per hour. Same as knot. Speed unit.

Obsolete:

  • merisekunti* – 30.8666 m. 1⁄60 of nautical mile
  • meritertia* – 0.51444 m. 1⁄3,600 of nautical mile

Area

Table of area units
Unit Relative
value 		Metric
value 		Imperial
value 		Notes
kannunala 1⁄56 ~88.15 m ~948.83 sq ft (105.43 sq yd) = Swedish kannland, defined as 1⁄56 of a tynnyrinala (tunnland) and thus equal to 1,000 square jalka (fot)
kapanala 1⁄32 ~154.26 m ~1,660.46 sq ft (184.5 sq yd) = Swedish kappland, defined as 1⁄32 of a tynnyrinala (tunnland) and thus equal to 1,750 square jalka (fot)
panninala 1⁄2 ~2,468.19 m ~26,537.37 sq ft (2,951.93 sq yd) = Swedish spannland, defined as 1⁄2 of a tynnyrinala (tunnland) and thus equal to 16 kapanala (kappland), or 28,000 square jalka (fot)
tynnyrinala 1 ~4,936.38 m ~53,134.7 sq ft (5,903.85 sq yd or ~1.22 acres) = Swedish tunnland, defined as 14,000 square kyynärä (aln), i.e. 56,0000 square jalka (fot); nominally the area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain

Volume

Dry measure

Table of volume (dry) units
Unit Relative
value 		Metric
value 		Imperial
value 		Notes
jumpru 1⁄16 ~81.8 ml ~2.9 fl. oz From Swedish jungfru, virgin. Also for liquids.
kortteli 1⁄4 ~327.15 ml ~11.51 fl. oz. Used for both length (14.845 cm, same as vaaksa) and volume. Name derives from Swedish kvartdel, meaning "quarter". As unit of length 1⁄4 of kyynärä.
tuoppi 1 ~1.3274 L ~46.72 fl. oz (2.336 pt) Literally tankard. Also for liquids.
kannu 2 ~2.6172 L ~4.61 pt Lit. "jug". Also called pikkukappa (exactly 2.5 L).
kappa 4 ~5.4961 L 9.67 pt (4.84 qt) Still in use (as exactly 5 liters) as kappa or isokappa at market places to measure potatoes.
nelikko 32 ~43.986 L 38.72 qt (9.68 gal.) Used for dry measure.
panni 64 ~87.96 L 19.36 gal. Used for dry measure.
tynnyri 128 ~175 L 38.49 gal. Barrel for dry measure.
lästi 1,536 ~2,110 L 464.14 gal. Used for dry measure.

Liquid measure

Table of volume (liquid) units
Unit Relative
value 		Metric
value 		Imperial
value 		Notes
jumpru 1⁄16 ~81.78 ml = Swedish jungfru, meaning maiden/virgin
kortteli 1⁄4 ~327.1 ml = Swedish kvarter, also written as kvartdel, both meaning quarter; a name used for both length, as a quarter of a kyynärä (aln), and volume, as a quarter of a tuoppi (stop)
tuoppi 1 ~1.3085 l = Swedish stop, meaning tankard; used for liquids
kannu 2 ~2.617 l = Swedish kanna, meaning jug; also called pikkukappa (exactly 2.5 L)
kappa 4 ~5.234 l = Swedish kappe / kappa; also used for dry substances.
ankkuri 30 ~39.255 L = Swedish ankare, literally meaning "anchor"; used for liquids
tynnyri 96 ~125.616 L = Swedish tunna; barrel for liquid measure. There were also several other sizes of barrel in common use, each standardized for a specific type of content.
lästi 1,152 ~1,507.4 L = Swedish läst; used for liquid measure, equalling 12 tynnyri (tunna). There were also other sizes of lästi (läst) in common use, each standardized for a specific type of content.

Mass

Table of mass units
Unit Relative
value 		Metric
value 		Imperial
value 		Notes
kvintiini 1⁄128 ~3.321 g = Swedish qvintin, defined as 1⁄4 of a luoti (lod); there were also a number of gradually even smaller units of mass, mainly used by pharmacists
luoti 1⁄32 ~13.283 g = Swedish lod; when firearms were introduced during the late medieval period it was found that one luoti (lod) of lead was perfect for a musket ball, leading to musket balls also being referred to as luoti (lod)
unssi 1⁄16 ~26,566 g = Swedish uns
markka 1⁄2 ~212.538 g = Swedish mark; the namesake for a medieval Swedish, and through that also Finnish, monetary unit, originally consisting of one mark silver (cf. pound sterling), and later also the name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861–2002
naula 1 ~425.076 g = Swedish skålpund, with the weight given, based on an older skålpund viktualievikt, defined for all of Sweden, including Finland, during major reforms of units of length, area, mass and volume in the early 17th C; metrinen naula = 500 g; the Imperial pound may be translated naula although pauna is exact
leiviskä 20 ~8.501 kg = Swedish lispund, defined as 20 naula (skålpund); metrinen leiviskä = 10 kg
sentneri 100 ~42.5076 kg Introduced in the mid 19th C, with one sentneri (centner) being 100 naula (skålpund); 1 Senttaali = 200 metrinen naula = 100 kg.
kippunta 400 ~170.03 kg = Swedish skeppspund, defined as 20 leiviskä (lispund) each of 20 naula (skålpund)

Miscellaneous

  • askel (pace) – Roughly one meter for an adult male—a rough but convenient way to measure distances while walking.
  • hehto – hectoliter, 100 liters, potatoes
  • kivenheitto (Throw of a rock) – 100 kyynärä (approx 60 m), today used to describe something to be very near (from Swedish stenkast also literally meaning "throw of a stone/rock")
  • poronkusema – (approximately 7.5 km). A Sami measurement of distance; the distance a reindeer can travel before needing to stop to urinate. Today used to describe something that is at a very obscure distance away.
  • Poronkusemaa kuukaudessa – (poronkusemas per month) similar to furlongs per fortnight, about 2.9 mm/s
  • tusina – 12 (from Swedish "dussin" = dozen)
  • toltti – 12 (lumber)
  • tiu – 20 (eggs) (from Swedish tjog, previously used for 20 of anything, not only eggs)
  • puntti – 20 (matchboxes)
  • kerpo – 31 (lampreys; 30 as a bunch and one for tying)
  • krossi – 144 (items) (from Swedish gross = 12 dozens; originally from French douzaine grosse meaning "large dozen")
  • kiihtelys – 40 (squirrel pelts)
  • riisi – 500 (paper sheets) (from Swedish ris, with the same meaning)
  • tonni – 1,000 (usually refers to 1,000 kg, but can refer also anything of 1,000, especially money)
  • motti – 1 m (firewood or waste paper), also 1 dm in "motin pullo", a 1-litre bottle, usually of alcohol

See also

References

  1. "Aln" in Nordisk Familjebok (first edition 1876-1899). Retrieved 20 February 2022

External links

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