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A length is a measure of distance. Many LaTeX commands take a length as an argument.
\newlength{\gnat}
\newlength command defines the mandatory argument, \gnat, as a
length command with a value of 0in. An error occurs if a \gnat
command already exists.
\setlength{\gnat}{length}
\setlength command is used to set the value of a length command.
The length argument can be expressed in any terms of length LaTeX
understands, i.e., inches (in), millimetres (mm), points (pt),
etc.
\addtolength{\gnat}{length}
\addtolength command increments a "length command" by the amount
specified in the length argument. It can be a negative amount.
\settodepth{\gnat}{text}
\settodepth command sets the value of a length command equal to
the depth of the text argument.
\settoheight{\gnat}{text}
\settoheight command sets the value of a length command equal to
the height of the text argument.
\settowidth{\gnat}{text}
\settowidth command sets the value of a length command equal to
the width of the text argument.
\width
\height
\depth
\totalheight
\totalheight equals \height + \depth. To make
a box with the text stretched to double the natural size, e.g., say
\makebox[2\width]{Get a stretcher}