In Genesis, what were the Ark’s dimensions in cubits from length to height?

The story behind the answer

In Genesis, Noah’s Ark measured 300 by 50 by 30 cubits in length, width, and height. Genesis 6:15 gives these three dimensions as part of God’s instructions for constructing the vessel.

A cubit was an ancient unit based broadly on the length of a forearm, so its exact modern equivalent is uncertain. Using common estimates of about 18 inches, the Ark would have been roughly 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Other estimates produce somewhat different metric measurements.

Genesis also describes the Ark as having rooms, a roof, and three levels. The dimensions create a long, rectangular vessel rather than the rounded shape often seen in children’s illustrations or decorative art.

The biblical text gives proportions, not a complete engineering blueprint. Consequently, modern reconstructions differ in materials, internal layout, and the precise length assigned to the cubit.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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