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.^[1][2]

Pre-metric units

Spanish customary units were used before 1848.^[1][3]

Length

To measure length several units were used. Legally, one vara is equal to 0.836 m.^[1] Some of the units and their legal values as follows:^[1][4]

• 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][4]

• 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.^[1][4] 12 almud were equal to one fanega.^[1][4]

Liquid

One cuartillo was equal to 1.111 L.^[1] 32 cuartillo were equal to one arroba.^[1][4]