Ligne

The ligne (pronounced [liɲ] ), or line or Paris line, is a historic unit of length used in France and elsewhere prior to the adoption of the metric system in the late 18th century, and used in various sciences after that time. The loi du 19 frimaire an VIII (Law of 10 December 1799) states that one metre is equal to exactly 443.296 French lines.

For the equivalent English unit, see Line (unit). For the Belgian noble house, see Ligne family. For the tributary of the Sambre, see Ligne River.
Not to be confused with the French Line, a shipping company, or The French Line, a 1954 musical.
Ligne
Unit systemFrench
Unit oflength
Conversions
1 ligne in ...... is equal to ...
   French units   12 Truchet point
 1/12 pouce
   metric (SI) units   2.2558 mm
   imperial/US units   0.08881 in

It is vestigially retained today by French and Swiss watchmakers to measure the size of watch casings, in button making and in ribbon manufacture.

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