How long is a longsword?
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How long is a longsword
A longsword typically measures between 100-140 cm (39–55 in) in total length, with blade length about 80–110 cm (31–43 in). The length of European longswords varied significantly depending on the period, type, and purpose.
The design of the longsword focused on improving combat effectiveness—its length provided greater reach, stronger cutting power, and adapted to changes in armor over time. The blade usually made up 70–80% of the sword, while the handle was about 20–30 cm long, allowing it to be used with both hands.
The weight of Longsword
European longswords were far from the heavy, unwieldy weapons often portrayed in film and television. Instead, they were carefully designed, lightweight weapons. A well-balanced longsword was easy to handle for the average adult male. A typical battle-ready longsword weighed between 1.2 and 1.8 kilograms (approximately 2.6 to 4 pounds), though heavier examples existed. Even a massive two-handed sword over 180 cm long, from the collection of the Budapest History Museum in Hungary, weighs only 3.6 kilograms. This impressive balance and handling was achieved by placing the weapon’s point of balance about 30 centimeters forward of the hilt.
Definition of longsword
Longsword is one of the most iconic two-handed swords in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century. The major features of a longsword are the longer hilt suited for two-handed use and a double-edged, straight blade structure.
Generally speaking, a sword is classified as a longsword if it meets three main characteristics.
- Total length is 100–140 cm (39–55 in)
- Double Edge straight blade
- Handle around 20-30 cm (7.9–11.8 in), suitable for two handed use
The longsword—and indeed, all swords in general—was not the primary weapon on the medieval battlefield. In group combat, spears or poleaxes were better choices. This was a common thing worldwide, for example, in Japan, the main battlefield weapon was not the katana. Swords, whether one- or two-handed, primarily served as sidearms
The term “longsword” is relatively modern, and the weapon itself was not as popular in medieval Europe as is often believed. It saw its peak popularity during the 14th and 15th centuries and was used by a wide range of people, from knights to commoners. However, one-handed swords (like the arming sword) remained more common overall. The two-handed longsword was both more complex to manufacture and more difficult to master than one-handed swords.
Longsword Usage
One of the most distinguishing features of the longsword is its longer blade. Compared to the arming sword, this provided greater reach, making it a highly effective and versatile weapon.
Before the 14th century, armor primarily consisted of mail, and swords of this period were designed mainly for cutting. They featured wide, thin blades capable of splitting mail links through high-speed slashes or breaking bones with the weight of the edge.
With the widespread adoption of plate armor in the 14th century, the longsword underwent a fundamental transformation. To cope with plate armor’s hard surface, blades gradually narrowed and reinforced at the tip, forming a sharp taper—such as seen in the Type XV “bastard sword.” These blades often had a diamond or hexagonal cross-section to ensure rigidity during thrusts, while the hilt lengthened to 18–25 cm, allowing two-handed use for more powerful strikes.
This era also gave rise to the half-swording technique: one hand gripped the hilt, the other held the blade’s unsharpened section (ricasso), enabling precise thrusts into gaps in the plate armor—under the arms, behind the knees, or at mail joints—and even leveraging to pry open an opponent’s armor.
Longswords continue to see wide application in martial arts today. The martial traditions of the European longsword are mainly divided into the German school of fencing and the Italian school of swordsmanship, each serving different social classes and combat contexts. The German tradition, centered on Johannes Liechtenauer, emphasizes integrated offensive and defensive techniques with the two‑handed longsword. The Italian school, represented by Fiore dei Liberi and the Bolognese school, blends the flexibility of the longsword with that of the rapier. These traditions were passed down through manuscripts and printed manuals, and today they form the core historical basis for reconstruction within the modern HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) movement.
