Argentine units of measurement
A number of different units of measurement were used in Argentina as its national system was derived from Spanish Castillian. The metric system was legally optional since 1863 and has been compulsory since 1887.
Pre-metric units
A number of different units were used before 1887.Length
A number of different units were used to measure length. These units varied from one province or city to another. In the province of Buenos Aires, one vara was 0.8666 m. Some other units used in the province of Buenos Aires are given below:1 línea = vara
1 pulgada = vara
1 palma = vara
1 pié = vara
1 braza = 2 vara
1 cuadra = 150 vara
1 legua = 6000 vara.
Railway measures
There were some other units used on the railways. One legua was equal to 600 varas. One milla was equal to 1.85 kmMass
Different units were used to measure mass. These units were vary from one province or city to another and, in the province of Buenos Aires, one libra was equal to 459.4 g while one "Libra de Farmacia" was equal to libra or 344.5 g. Some other units in the province of Buenos Aires are provided below:1 lb = 1.0127142432 lb = 1.01271544757245 lb = 0.45936 kg
1 grano = libra
1 adarme = libra
1 onza = libra
1 arroba = 25 libra
1 quintal = 100 libra
1 tonelada = 2000 libra.
The marco used for gold and silver was equal to 3544.4 grains.
Capacity
Dry and liquid units were used for capacity. These units varied from one province or city to another.Dry
1 fanega = 137.1977 l1 Cuartilla = Fanega
1 Tonelada = 7 Fanega
1 Lastre = 12 Fanega.
Liquid
Units included:1 Frasco = 2.375 l
1 Octava = Frasco
1 Cuarta = Frasco
1 Baril = 32 Frasco
1 Cuerta = 48 Frasco
1 Pipa = 192 Frasco.