In our daily lives, "size" plays an extremely important role. This involves unit conversion, which is not only used to measure the size of objects, the length of distances, or the weight of quantities, but also represents knowledge of dimensions and units that we gradually learn from childhood. These concepts influence how we perceive and understand things. Idioms and sayings related to weights and measures, such as "half a catty and eight taels," "a three-inch tongue," "give an inch and take a mile," and "not bowing for five dou of rice," are often used in everyday speech and also reflect local cultures and lifestyles! However, in medieval Europe and even earlier periods, the measurement of dimensions was based on some fascinating historical practices. For example, one foot was originally said to be based on the width of four palms. Doesn't that make you wonder? After all, everyone's hands and feet are different in size. An inch was later defined based on the length of a barleycorn, while a yard in ancient times was measured according to the distance from the tip of a king's nose to the end of his middle finger when his arm was fully extended. There is a good reason why standardized weights and measures were eventually established.

Speaking of length measurement, do you know the three major measurement systems?
They are the Metric System, Taiwanese System, and Imperial System.

I. Metric System
The metric system includes meters, centimeters, and millimeters.
The metric system emerged in Europe after the Industrial Revolution and adopted a decimal system, making calculations easier and reducing errors. It has also become the internationally used system of measurement.
In Taiwan, the metric system is the most commonly used measurement system. For example, when we plan the shelving layout for an entire retail store, the dimensions provided by the designer or measured on-site by our JZ Shop team are generally expressed in centimeters (cm). However, for smaller items such as checkout counters, island shelving, display boards, or display tables, the number of shelving units is calculated based on the display area and the store's merchandising requirements. In such cases, shelving dimensions are usually calculated in millimeters (mm). These units—meters (m), centimeters (cm), and millimeters (mm)—are all part of the metric system.


Applications of the Metric System in Daily Life:
Many everyday products use centimeters as their unit of measurement, such as furniture, appliances, shoes, clothing, cookware, and household items. Height is also commonly measured in centimeters. On maps and when indicating distances and scales, meters are also frequently used as a unit of length.



II. Taiwanese System
The Taiwanese measurement system includes the Taiwanese foot, Taiwanese inch, and Taiwanese fen.


The Taiwanese measurement system is a traditional system of weights and measures used in Taiwan. Passed down from previous generations, one of the most familiar examples is the sizing of quilts and beds, which has traditionally been communicated using Taiwanese feet. For example, if someone says that a quilt is six feet by four feet, would you know how many centimeters that is in length and width? Taiwan commonly uses the following five mattress sizes:
1. 3-foot Standard Single Bed: This is the standard single-bed size and is suitable for children's beds. It measures 3 ft × 6.2 ft (= 91 × 188 cm).
2. 3.5-foot Extra-Wide Single Bed: As the name suggests, this is wider than a 3-foot single bed while maintaining the same length, making it suitable for adults. It measures 3.5 ft × 6.2 ft (= 105 × 188 cm).
3. 5-foot Standard Double Bed: This is the standard double-bed size, measuring 5 ft × 6.2 ft (= 152 × 188 cm).
4. 6-foot Extra-Large Double Bed: Have you heard of a Queen Size bed? It is named after the size traditionally associated with a queen and is designed to provide greater comfort. It measures 6 ft × 6.2 ft (= 182 × 188 cm), providing more space so that one person can turn over without disturbing the other. It is considered more spacious than a standard double bed.
5. 7-foot King-Size Double Bed: Hehe~ If you want to sleep like a king, this is the bed size to choose! It is commonly known as an extra-large double bed and measures 6 ft × 7 ft (= 182 × 212 cm). Some hotel suites are equipped with this extra-large double-bed size.



In summary, mattresses, pillows, and similar products are relatively bulky. Whether displayed in a bedding store or a department store counter, combining effective warehouse management with space planning based on shelving dimensions can help ensure smooth product flow and contribute to a successful business.


III. Imperial System
Yards, feet, and inches are common units in the Imperial System.
(1) Yard
The symbol for yard comes from the English word "yard" and is abbreviated as "yd." In curtain specialty stores and home furnishing stores, products such as curtains, tablecloths, and door curtains are often measured using "yd" as the unit of conversion. One theory states that in medieval England, a yard represented the length of a man's belt. However, because people's body sizes differed, this created inconsistencies. In the 12th century, King Henry I of England is said to have defined a yard as the distance from the tip of his nose to the end of his thumb when his arm was fully extended. In addition to these interesting stories from overseas, traditional Taiwanese fabric stores used the Taiwanese foot as their standard unit of measurement, eventually resulting in three Taiwanese feet being equivalent to one yard. This also corresponds to the total length of the bamboo measuring rulers traditionally used by craftsmen. Internationally, the yard is commonly used as a measurement unit in the Americas, while the meter is more commonly used in Europe.




(2) Feet and Inches
The English word for foot is "feet," abbreviated as "ft," with the symbol "′." The abbreviation for inch is "in," with the symbol "″," derived from the English word "inch." These Imperial units do not use a decimal system. In the past, when doing business with customers in Hong Kong and export customers who used Imperial measurements, dimensions were often specified in inches. Over time, we became so familiar with the conversion that we could immediately recognize that 1″ = 2.54 cm without having to memorize it. In Hong Kong, feet and inches are also commonly referred to as "呎" and "吋" respectively, distinguishing them from metric units. When receiving inquiries about store shelving from overseas markets, the shelving design drawings provided by customers from countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States may also be marked using Imperial measurements.
Inches are commonly used in everyday life for clothing sizes, tire sizes, hardware screw dimensions, pipe diameters and lengths, paper sizes, electronic display screen sizes, and more.


JZ Shop Equipment is a manufacturing company specializing in customized display shelving solutions for store owners. We can manufacture a wide range of store display fixtures and also offer display shelving in various specifications that are available in stock. Purchase now and start using them immediately to enhance product displays in your store and provide customers with a better shopping experience.

If you are planning to open a store, please feel free to contact us:
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Tel.:04-23309221-ext.168 Taichung

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