braza

Braza is a historic unit of length used primarily in nautical contexts in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions. It is traditionally defined as roughly the length of a human arm span and is commonly cited as approximately six English feet, which is about 1.83 meters. As a result, 1 braza is often treated as equivalent to a fathom in modern references, though historical regional definitions varied slightly.

The term derives from the Spanish word braza, related to brazo meaning arm. Its use reflects a measurement practice based on body dimensions, a common origin for many traditional units of length. Because of this, the exact value of a braza could differ by locale and era, with some sources noting small regional adjustments.

In practice, the braza was used for maritime measurements, including depths sounded from ships and the sizing of ropes, cables, and other nautical equipment. With the general adoption of the metric system and standardized international units, the braza has largely fallen out of common use, surviving mainly in historical texts, nautical heritage, and regional traditions.

See also: fathom, nautical measurement, vieja varas.