Calligraphy & Painting Sizes: Calculating Square Chi

Calligraphy & Painting Sizes: Calculating Square Chi

Chinese painting and calligraphy are priced and described by “square chi” (*ping chi*), a unit that confuses many newcomers. Dealers speak of “small pieces,” “half sheets,” and “three-open” — but what do these mean in centimeters? This guide explains the standard rice paper sizes, the conversion formulas, and the names of common formats, so you can decode any dealer’s description — and choose the right size for your wall.

The Formulas

One square chi equals a sheet of 33 × 33 cm (about 13 × 13 in). Two formulas convert any work:

• **Using meters:** length (m) × width (m) × 9 = square chi (1 square meter = 9 square chi).
• **Using centimeters:** length (cm) × width (cm) ÷ 0.1089 = square chi (33 × 33 = 1,089 sq cm).

Example: a full four-chi sheet (1.36 × 0.68 m) works out to about 8.3–8.4 square chi.

Standard Rice Paper Sizes

Note: the “chi” here follows the carpenter’s measure of Lu Ban, the legendary founder of Chinese woodworking, at about 42.9 cm — slightly longer than the modern chi (33.3 cm). A “full” four-chi sheet measures about 68 × 137 cm.

Rules for Special Formats

• **Vertical strip (tiaofu):** a width under one chi is charged as one chi; beyond that, actual area counts. A piece 3 chi long and 8 cun wide bills as 3 square chi.
• **Hanging scroll (lizhou):** traditionally favored for collection rather than modern interiors; a four-chi heart in three- or six-open format bills at 3 or 1.5 square chi.
• **Horizontal scroll (hengpi):** short in height (about 1 chi) and up to 4 chi long — a popular choice above sofas in modern living rooms.
• **Fans and albums:** a fan leaf counts as about 1.5 square chi, a mounted fan 2 square chi; round fans are priced by diameter; handscrolls by length.

Names of Mounted Formats

• Unmounted rice paper: soft sheet (*ruanpian*)
• Backed with one layer: mirror heart (*jingxin*)
• With a mounting border: mirror piece (*jingpian*); framed: mirror frame
• With top and bottom rods: hanging scroll (*lizhou*)
• Horizontal: horizontal scroll (*hengpi*); a narrow, long one: handscroll (*shoujuan*)
• Album leaves: *kai*
• Fan-shaped mounting: fan piece (*shanpian*); with ribs: finished fan; round: round fan (*tuanshan*)
• Letter paper: letter (*xinzha*), counted per piece (*tong*)

Knowing these terms will help you compare sizes across galleries and auctions — and commission a piece that fits your space perfectly.

If you’re considering commissioning a calligraphy or painting, Badou Art’s specialists are happy to guide you.

Source: https://www.cntizi.com/9187.html