Chilean units of measurement
# Chilean units of measurement

A number of different units of measurement were used in Chile to measure quantities like length, mass, area, capacity, etc. From 1848, the metric system has been compulsory in Chile.

## Pre-metric units

Spanish customary units were used before 1848.

### Length

To measure length several units were used. Legally, one vara is equal to 0.836 m. Some of the units and their legal values as follows:

* 1 línea = 1⁄432 vara
* 1 pulgada = 1⁄36 vara
* 1 pie = 1⁄3 vara
* 1 cuadra = 150 vara
* 1 legua = 5400 vara

### Mass

Several units were used to measure mass. One libra is equal to 0.460093 kg. Some other units are given below:

* 1 grano = 1⁄9216 libra
* 1 adarme = 1⁄256 libra
* 1 sastellano = 1⁄100 libra
* 1 onza = 1⁄16 libra
* 1 arroba = 25 libra
* 1 quintal = 100 libra

### Capacity

Mainly two systems, dry and liquid, were used to measure capacity in Chile.

**Dry**

One almud was equal to 8.083 L. 12 almud were equal to one fanega.

**Liquid**

One cuartillo was equal to 1.111 L. 32 cuartillo were equal to one arroba.

