Ligne (l or triple prime (‘‘‘)) is a unit of length equal to 1⁄12 of an inch or 2.116 millimeters. Ligne is an old unit of length used exclusively in France, that's why it is also called Paris line. Line can be used as an alternative to millimeter to measure small things, such as insects. It can be used as subdivision of inches when measuring person's height, often designated using triple prime, for example 5'4"11‘‘‘.
Ligne in this sense is not to be confused with homonym line, which is 1⁄40 of an inch.
| Unit | is equal to |
|---|---|
| 1 line | 0.3 l |
| 1 millimeter | ≈0.47244 l |
| 1 dex | 0.75 l |
| 1 centimeter | ≈4.7244 l |
| 1 inch | 12 l |
| 1 hand | 48 ln |
| 1 foot | 144 l |
| 1 yard | 432 l |
| 1 meter | ≈472.44 ln |
| 1 hite | 792 ln |
| 1 fathom | 864 ln |
| 1 storey | 1440 ln |
| 1 duse | 1728 ln |
| 1 rod | 2376 ln |
| 1 furlong | 95040 ln |
| 1 kilometer | 472440 ln |
| 1 mile | 760320 ln |