1# line-length
2
3A *line-length* is an expression that specifies how long to draw a
4line segment.  The value can be either absolute (ex: "`1.2cm`",
5"`.5in`", "`0.5*circlerad`", and so forth) or it can be a percentage value
6(ex: "`85%`").
7
8  * *expr*
9  * *expr* **%**
10
11If the percentage value is used, the basis is usually the
12value stored in the "`linewid`" variable.  However, for a case of
13either
14
15  * **up** *expr* **%**
16  * **down** *expr* **%**
17
18Then the percentage refers to the current "`lineht`" value instead.  The
19"`linewid`" value is always used for headings even if the heading
20is "`0`" or "`180`" or "`north`" or "`south`".
21
22In most cases it does not matter whether "`linewid`" or "`lineht`"
23gets used for the percentage basis since both variables have the
24same initial default of 0.5in.
25