Eighth vs. Quarter — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 1, 2024
Eighth refers to one out of eight equal parts of a whole, implying a division by eight, while a quarter signifies one out of four equal parts, indicating a division by four.
Difference Between Eighth and Quarter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Eighth represents a fraction that divides something into eight equal segments. It is often used to describe time, quantities, or portions in various contexts, such as musical notes or measurements. On the other hand, a quarter divides something into four equal parts, commonly seen in time expressions (quarter past six), financial quarters, and spatial measurements.
In the context of time, an eighth of an hour would be 7.5 minutes, useful in precise timekeeping or scheduling. Whereas a quarter of an hour is universally understood as 15 minutes, commonly used in everyday language and scheduling.
When discussing financial terms, an eighth can refer to an old-fashioned stock price increment of 1/8 of a dollar, highlighting precision in trading. A quarter, however, represents a three-month period in a fiscal year, essential for financial reporting and business cycles.
In music, an eighth note signifies a duration that is one-eighth of a whole note, crucial for rhythm and tempo. A quarter note, however, holds a duration that is a quarter of a whole note, serving as a fundamental building block for musical timing.
For measurements, mentioning something as an eighth (e.g., an eighth of an inch) can denote a very precise, small measurement in crafting or engineering. A quarter, such as a quarter-inch, often denotes a more commonly used, slightly larger measurement standard in various applications.
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Comparison Chart
Fractional Value
1/8
1/4
Common Usage
Precise measurements, music notation
Financial terms, time expressions, spatial measurements
Time Representation
7.5 minutes
15 minutes
Financial Context
Old stock price increments
Fiscal quarters
Musical Notation
One-eighth of a whole note
One-quarter of a whole note
Compare with Definitions
Eighth
A musical note that lasts for one-eighth of a whole note.
The piece had several measures full of eighth notes.
Quarter
One of four equal parts of a whole.
A dollar is divided into four quarters.
Eighth
Precise measurement in inches or centimeters.
He measured an eighth of an inch for the margin.
Quarter
A period of three months used in financial contexts.
The company reported its earnings for the first quarter.
Eighth
In fractions, a quantity that represents one part of eight equal parts.
An eighth of 24 is 3.
Quarter
A 25-cent coin in the United States.
She used a quarter to pay for the parking meter.
Eighth
A term used in finance to denote a price increment.
Stocks were once quoted in eighths of a dollar.
Quarter
A quarter of an hour, meaning 15 minutes.
We'll leave in a quarter of an hour.
Eighth
The ordinal number matching the number eight in a series.
Quarter
A term referring to spatial measurements.
He cut the board into quarters for the project.
Eighth
One of eight equal parts.
Quarter
Each of four equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided
A page and a quarter
A quarter of a mile
She cut each apple into quarters
Eighth
The ordinal form of the number eight.
Quarter
One fourth of a pound weight (avoirdupois, equal to 4 ounces).
Eighth
The person or thing in the eighth position.
Quarter
The haunches or hindquarters of a horse
They have strong, muscular quarters
Eighth
One of eight equal parts of a whole.
Quarter
A part of a town or city having a particular character or use
A beautiful port city with a fascinating medieval quarter
Eighth
(slang) An eighth of an ounce, or approximately 3.5 grams, of marijuana or other drugs.
Quarter
The direction of one of the points of the compass, especially as a direction from which the wind blows.
Eighth
Next in order after the seventh.
Quarter
Rooms or lodgings, especially those allocated to people in military or domestic service
They lived in RAF married quarters
Eighth
Consisting of one of eight equal divisions of a thing.
Quarter
Pity or mercy shown towards an enemy or opponent who is in one's power
The riot squad gave no quarter
Eighth
The quotient of a unit divided by eight; one of eight equal parts; an eighth part.
Quarter
Each of four or more roughly equal divisions of a shield separated by vertical and horizontal lines.
Eighth
The interval of an octave.
Quarter
Divide into four equal or corresponding parts
Peel and quarter the bananas
Eighth
Position eight in a countable series of things
Quarter
Be stationed or lodged in a specified place
Many were quartered in tents
Eighth
An eighth part
Quarter
Range over or traverse (an area) in every direction
We watched a pair of kingfishers quartering the river looking for minnows
Quarter
Display (different coats of arms) in quarters of a shield, especially to show arms inherited from heiresses who have married into the bearer's family
Edward III quartered the French royal arms with his own
Quarter
One of four equal parts.
Quarter
A coin equal to one fourth of the dollar of the United States and Canada.
Quarter
One fourth of an hour; 15 minutes.
Quarter
One fourth of a year; three months
Sales were up in the second quarter.
Quarter
An academic term lasting approximately three months.
Quarter
One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
Quarter
One of the two phases of the moon at which the moon, as viewed from Earth, appears to be half illuminated by the sun. The quarter phases mark the quarter and three-quarter points of the moon's revolution about the Earth.
Quarter
(Sports) One of four equal periods of playing time into which some games, such as football and basketball, are divided.
Quarter
One fourth of a yard; nine inches.
Quarter
One fourth of a mile; two furlongs.
Quarter
One fourth of a pound; four ounces.
Quarter
One fourth of a ton; 500 pounds. Used as a measure of grain.
Quarter
Chiefly British A measure of grain equal to approximately eight bushels.
Quarter
One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
Quarter
One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the compass.
Quarter
One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
Quarter
One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
Quarter
A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
Quarter
(Nautical) The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
Quarter
The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
Quarter
The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Quarter
(Heraldry) Any of four equal divisions of a shield.
Quarter
One leg of an animal's carcass, usually including the adjoining parts.
Quarter
Either side of a horse's hoof.
Quarter
The part of the side of a shoe between the heel and the vamp.
Quarter
Quarters A place of residence, especially the buildings or barracks used to house military personnel or their dependents.
Quarter
Often quarters A proper or assigned station or place, as for officers and crew on a warship.
Quarter
Often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city
The French Quarter.
Quarter
Often quarters An unspecified person or group
Information from the highest quarters.
Quarter
Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.
Quarter
Being one of four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
Being one fourth of a standard or usual value.
Quarter
To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
Quarter
To quartersaw.
Quarter
To divide or separate into a number of parts.
Quarter
To dismember (a human body) into four parts.
Quarter
(Heraldry) To divide (a shield) into four equal areas with vertical and horizontal lines.
Quarter
To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
Quarter
To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
Quarter
To furnish with housing
Quartered the troops in an old factory building.
Quarter
To traverse (an area of ground) laterally back and forth while slowly advancing forward.
Quarter
To take up or be assigned lodgings.
Quarter
To cover an area of ground by ranging over it from side to side.
Quarter
A fourth part of something.
Quarter
(in general sense) Each of four equal parts into which something can be divided; a fourth part.
A quarter of an hour.
Quarter
A measure of capacity used chiefly for grain or coal, varying greatly in quantity by time and location.
Quarter
A fourth part of a pound; approximately 113 grams.
Quarter
(historical) A measure of length; originally a fourth part of an ell, now chiefly a fourth part of a yard.
Quarter
A fourth part of the night; one of the watches or divisions of the night.
Quarter
A fourth part of the year; 3 months; a term or season.
Quarter
(time) A fourth part of an hour; a period of fifteen minutes, especially with reference to the quarter before or after the hour.
Quarter
A fourth part of a hundredweight.
Quarter
(heraldry) A fourth part of a coat of arms, or the charge on it, larger than a canton and normally on the upper dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top meeting a horizontal line from the side.
Quarter
(North America) A quarter-dollar, divided into 25 cents; the coin of that value minted in the United States or Canada.
Quarter
(sport) One of four equal periods into which a game is divided.
Quarter
A quarter of an acre or 40 roods.
Quarter
Place or position.
Quarter
A region or place.
Quarter
Each of four parts into which the earth or sky is divided, corresponding to the four cardinal points of the compass.
Quarter
A division or section of a town or city, especially having a particular character of its own, or associated with a particular group etc.
Quarter
One's residence or dwelling-place; in plural rooms, lodgings, especially as allocated to soldiers or domestic staff.
Quarter
A topic or area of endeavour.
Quarter
(nautical) The aftmost part of a vessel's side, roughly from the last mast to the stern.
Quarter
(farriery) The part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, the side of its coffin.
Quarter
(often plural) A section (of a population), especially one having a particular set of values or interests.
Opposition to the policy came from an unexpected quarter, as well as from certain quarters which had historically opposed it
All quarters of the socialist movement; praise from Conservative quarters
Quarter
(obsolete) Relations between people.
Quarter
Accommodation given to a defeated opponent; mercy; exemption from being killed.
Quarter
Short forms.
Quarter
A quarterback.
Quarter
A quartermaster; a quartermaster sergeant.
Quarter
A quarterfinal.
Quarter
Pertaining to an aspect of a quarter.
Quarter
(chiefly) Consisting of a fourth part, a quarter (4, 25%).
A quarter hour; a quarter century; a quarter note; a quarter pound
Quarter
(chiefly) Related to a three-month term, a quarter of a year.
A quarter day is one terminating a quarter of the year.
A quarter session is one held quarterly at the end of a quarter.
Quarter
(transitive) To divide into quarters; to divide by four.
Quarter
(transitive) To provide housing for military personnel or other equipment.
Quarter the horses in the third stable.
Quarter
(intransitive) To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
(transitive) To quartersaw.
Quarter
(obsolete) To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Quarter
One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc.
Scouts each coast light-armed scour,Each quarter, to descry the distant foe.
Quarter
A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris.
Quarter
Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.
Swift to their several quarters hasted thenThe cumbrous elements.
The banter turned as to what quarters each would find.
Quarter
A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters.
He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives.
Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter.
Quarter
Friendship; amity; concord.
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom.
I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves.
Quarter
To divide into four equal parts.
Quarter
To divide; to separate into parts or regions.
Then sailors quartered heaven.
Quarter
To furnish with shelter or entertainment; to supply with the means of living for a time; especially, to furnish shelter to; as, to quarter soldiers.
They mean this night in Sardis to be quartered.
Quarter
To furnish as a portion; to allot.
This isle . . . He quarters to his blue-haired deities.
Quarter
To arrange (different coats of arms) upon one escutcheon, as when a man inherits from both father and mother the right to bear arms.
Quarter
To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
Quarter
To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.
Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering.
Quarter
One of four equal parts;
A quarter of a pound
Quarter
A district of a city having some distinguishing character;
The Latin Quarter
Quarter
One of four periods of play into which some games are divided;
Both teams scored in the first quarter
Quarter
A unit of time equal to 15 minutes or a quarter of an hour;
It's a quarter til 4
A quarter after 4 o'clock
Quarter
One of four periods into which the school year is divided;
The fall quarter ends at Christmas
Quarter
A fourth part of a year; three months;
Unemployment fell during the last quarter
Quarter
One of the four major division of the compass;
The wind is coming from that quarter
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (25 pounds)
Quarter
A quarter of a hundredweight (28 pounds)
Quarter
A United States coin worth one fourth of a dollar;
He fed four quarters into the slot machine
Quarter
An unspecified person;
He dropped a word in the right quarter
Quarter
The rear part of a ship
Quarter
Piece of leather that comprises the part of a shoe or boot covering the heel and joining the vamp
Quarter
Provide housing for (military personnel)
Quarter
Pull (a person) apart with four horses tied to his extremities, so as to execute him;
In the old days, people were drawn and quartered for certain crimes
Quarter
Divide into quarters;
Quarter an apple
Quarter
Divide by four; divide into quarters
Common Curiosities
Can a quarter refer to a coin?
Yes, in the United States, a quarter refers to a 25-cent coin.
How long is a quarter of an hour?
A quarter of an hour is 15 minutes.
How do quarters impact fiscal planning?
Quarters divide the fiscal year into four parts, aiding in performance assessment and planning.
What is an eighth in musical terms?
An eighth in music refers to a note that lasts for one-eighth the duration of a whole note.
How is an eighth used in measurements?
An eighth is used to denote a precise measurement, often smaller than a quarter, such as an eighth of an inch.
What does it mean when something is divided into eighths?
It means the item is split into eight equal parts.
Is an eighth larger than a quarter?
No, an eighth is smaller than a quarter as it represents one out of eight parts, versus one out of four.
What is a quarter note in music?
A quarter note is a musical note that has a duration of one-quarter of a whole note.
Can both eighths and quarters refer to time?
Yes, but in different contexts: eighths are less common and more precise, while quarters are widely used (e.g., quarter past the hour).
What is the significance of a quarter in business?
A quarter refers to one of the four three-month periods in a fiscal year, crucial for financial planning and reporting.
Are eighths and quarters interchangeable in cooking?
No, they represent different amounts and are used as specified in recipes for accuracy.
How does the usage of eighths and quarters differ in finance?
Eighths were used for stock increments historically, while quarters refer to fiscal periods.
Why might someone use eighths in crafting?
For precision in measurements that require fine detail.
What role do quarters play in educational institutions?
Some institutions divide the academic year into quarters for scheduling classes and exams.
How do eighths and quarters compare in common usage?
Eighths are used for more precise, specific measurements, while quarters have broader applications in time, money, and measurements.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
