\newlength (LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual (November 2018))

Next: \newsavebox, Previous: \newcounter, Up: Definitions [Contents][Index]

### 12.6 `\newlength`

Synopsis:

    \newlength{arg}

Allocate a new length register (see Lengths). The required argument arg must begin with a backslash, `\`. The new register holds rubber lengths such as `72.27pt` or `1in plus.2in minus.1in` (a LaTeX length register is what plain TeX calls a `skip` register). The initial value is zero. The control sequence `\arg` must not be already defined.

An example:

    \newlength{\graphichgt}

If you forget the backslash then you get ‘`Missing control sequence inserted`’. If the command sequence already exists then you get something like ‘`LaTeX Error: Command \graphichgt already defined. Or name \end... illegal, see p.192 of the manual`’.

Unofficial LaTeX2e reference manual