rozstaw

Rozstaw is a Polish noun that denotes the spacing or distance between two points or elements. It is used to describe how far apart items are or how they should be arranged, and it appears in everyday language as well as in technical contexts. In most cases the exact value is specified in millimeters, centimeters, or other units appropriate to the field.

In rail transport, rozstaw torów refers to track gauge, the distance between the inner faces of the rails. The standard gauge widely used in much of the world is 1,435 millimeters, but many regions employ other gauges, such as broad gauges around 1,520 millimeters or metre gauges near 1,000 millimeters, among others. The rozstaw determines compatibility of rolling stock and infrastructure and is a key parameter in railway design and interoperability.

In mechanical design and construction, rozstaw often describes the center-to-center distance between features such as holes, bolts, or supports. Examples include rozstaw otworów or rozstaw śrub on mounting plates, brackets, or frames. Common patterns include regular spacings like 50 mm, 100 mm, or other pitch values, chosen to suit the component geometry and load distribution.

In textiles and knitting, rozstaw oczek (gauge) indicates the distance between stitches, affecting fabric dimensions and drape. The term is also used more broadly in planning layouts of structural components, shelves, or other assemblies where precise spacing is essential.

Etymologically, rozstaw derives from the verb rozstawić, meaning to spread out or arrange.