The inch, once the size of a barleycorn kernel, has fascinating origins. Early English measurement systems based it on the width of a man’s thumb. In the 14th century, King Edward II of England formalized it, defining an inch as the length of three barleycorns laid end to end. Historically, the inch was crucial for countless innovations, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, influencing everything from watchmaking to industrial design.
Today, the inch still plays an integral role in areas like screen sizes and standardized paper dimensions, delighting both tech enthusiasts and everyday users. Interestingly, in surveying, an inch is divided into hundredths in the US, showing its adaptability in precision tasks. Despite the global shift towards the metric system, the inch endures, showcasing its resilience and continued relevance.
The mil is a unit of measurement commonly used in various fields, including manufacturing and meteorology. Originating from the Latin word “millesimum,” meaning “thousandth,” a mil represents one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inches). Its precision makes it indispensable for industries where exact measurements are crucial, such as printing and engineering. In the world of meteorology, mils are used to measure precipitation, helping to forecast weather conditions accurately.
Interestingly, the term “mil” is also often used interchangeably with “thou,” especially in the machining and engineering sectors. This small yet significant unit plays a vital role in ensuring quality control and standardization across different industries, highlighting its essential presence in our everyday life and technological advancements.
| Inches | Mils |
|---|---|
0
in
|
0
mil
|
1
in
|
1000
mil
|
2
in
|
2000
mil
|
3
in
|
3000
mil
|
4
in
|
4000
mil
|
5
in
|
5000
mil
|
6
in
|
6000
mil
|
7
in
|
7000
mil
|
8
in
|
8000
mil
|
9
in
|
9000
mil
|
10
in
|
10000
mil
|
11
in
|
11000
mil
|
12
in
|
12000
mil
|
13
in
|
13000
mil
|
14
in
|
14000
mil
|
15
in
|
15000
mil
|
16
in
|
16000
mil
|
17
in
|
17000
mil
|
18
in
|
18000
mil
|
19
in
|
19000
mil
|
20
in
|
20000
mil
|
21
in
|
21000
mil
|
22
in
|
22000
mil
|
23
in
|
23000
mil
|
24
in
|
24000
mil
|
25
in
|
25000
mil
|
26
in
|
26000
mil
|
27
in
|
27000
mil
|
28
in
|
28000
mil
|
29
in
|
29000
mil
|
30
in
|
30000
mil
|
31
in
|
31000
mil
|
32
in
|
32000
mil
|
33
in
|
33000
mil
|
34
in
|
34000
mil
|
35
in
|
35000
mil
|
36
in
|
36000
mil
|
37
in
|
37000
mil
|
38
in
|
38000
mil
|
39
in
|
39000
mil
|
40
in
|
40000
mil
|
41
in
|
41000
mil
|
42
in
|
42000
mil
|
43
in
|
43000
mil
|
44
in
|
44000
mil
|
45
in
|
45000
mil
|
46
in
|
46000
mil
|
47
in
|
47000
mil
|
48
in
|
48000
mil
|
49
in
|
49000
mil
|
50
in
|
50000
mil
|
51
in
|
51000
mil
|
52
in
|
52000
mil
|
53
in
|
53000
mil
|
54
in
|
54000
mil
|
55
in
|
55000
mil
|
56
in
|
56000
mil
|
57
in
|
57000
mil
|
58
in
|
58000
mil
|
59
in
|
59000
mil
|
60
in
|
60000
mil
|
61
in
|
61000
mil
|
62
in
|
62000
mil
|
63
in
|
63000
mil
|
64
in
|
64000
mil
|
65
in
|
65000
mil
|
66
in
|
66000
mil
|
67
in
|
67000
mil
|
68
in
|
68000
mil
|
69
in
|
69000
mil
|
70
in
|
70000
mil
|
71
in
|
71000
mil
|
72
in
|
72000
mil
|
73
in
|
73000
mil
|
74
in
|
74000
mil
|
75
in
|
75000
mil
|
76
in
|
76000
mil
|
77
in
|
77000
mil
|
78
in
|
78000
mil
|
79
in
|
79000
mil
|
80
in
|
80000
mil
|
81
in
|
81000
mil
|
82
in
|
82000
mil
|
83
in
|
83000
mil
|
84
in
|
84000
mil
|
85
in
|
85000
mil
|
86
in
|
86000
mil
|
87
in
|
87000
mil
|
88
in
|
88000
mil
|
89
in
|
89000
mil
|
90
in
|
90000
mil
|
91
in
|
91000
mil
|
92
in
|
92000
mil
|
93
in
|
93000
mil
|
94
in
|
94000
mil
|
95
in
|
95000
mil
|
96
in
|
96000
mil
|
97
in
|
97000
mil
|
98
in
|
98000
mil
|
99
in
|
99000
mil
|
100
in
|
100000
mil
|
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