Nib / X-height Consistency Checker

Check that repeated x-height measurements agree within tolerance under the stated rule: spread is (max-min)/mean in percent and the hand counts as consistent when spread does not exceed the tolerance (default 10%).

Description

Check that repeated x-height measurements agree within tolerance under the stated rule: spread is (max-min)/mean in percent and the hand counts as consistent when spread does not exceed the tolerance (default 10%).

Nib / X-height Consistency Checker: Check that repeated x-height measurements agree within tolerance under the stated rule: spread is (max-min)/mean in percent and the hand counts as consistent when spread does not exceed the tolerance (default 10%).

When to use Nib / X-height Consistency

Use this palaeographic utility to apply a stated dating, script, abbreviation, codicological, metrological, layout, or condition rule consistently while preparing manuscripts for scholarly review.

X-heights
Repeated x-height measurements of one hand in mm.
Tolerance (%)
Maximum allowed spread in percent.

How Nib / X-height Consistency works

Check that repeated x-height measurements agree within tolerance under the stated rule: spread is (max-min)/mean in percent and the hand counts as consistent when spread does not exceed the tolerance (default 10%). The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.1

Mean x-height (mm)
Arithmetic mean of the measurements.
Spread %
(max - min) / mean expressed in percent.
Consistent
True when the spread is within tolerance.

Limitations and assumptions

  • Script and manuscript evidence varies by language, region, institution, period, scribe, material, restoration, and cataloguing convention. A heuristic flag or score is not an authoritative date, hand attribution, reading, provenance, or conservation diagnosis.
  • Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Alternative or Complementary approaches

Retain page images, scale, foliation, material, provenance, diplomatic transcription, uncertainty, and comparison exemplars; confirm conclusions with codicological context and specialist judgment.

References

  1. Palaeography — Wikipedia contributors

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