Chain Conversion Tool - Convert Chains to Any Unit
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Chain Conversion Table
This comprehensive chain conversion table shows how various units relate to chains, a traditional unit for surveying and mapping distances. Use this reference for quick conversions between chains and other common length units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Chains to meters | Meters | 20.1168 |
| Chains to kilometers | Kilometers | 0.0201168 |
| Chains to centimeters | Centimeters | 2011.68 |
| Chains to millimeters | Millimeters | 20116.8 |
| Chains to micrometers | Micrometers | 20116800 |
| Chains to nanometers | Nanometers | 20116800000 |
| Chains to picometers | Picometers | 20116800000000 |
| Chains to angstroms | Angstroms | 201168000000000 |
| Chains to inches | Inches | 792 |
| Chains to feet | Feet | 66 |
| Chains to yards | Yards | 22 |
| Chains to miles | Miles | 0.0125 |
| Chains to nautical miles | Nautical Miles | 0.0108622 |
| Chains to fathoms | Fathoms | 11 |
| Chains to furlongs | Furlongs | 0.1 |
| Chains to rods | Rods | 4 |
| Chains to leagues | Leagues | 0.00416667 |
| Chains to astronomical units | Astronomical Units | 1.34441e-10 |
| Chains to light-years | Light-years | 2.12635e-15 |
| Chains to parsecs | Parsecs | 6.53893e-16 |
| Chains to planck lengths | Planck Lengths | 1.24552e+36 |
This chain conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both metric (SI) units and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in surveying and mapping applications.
What is a Chain?
The chain (symbol: chain) is a unit of length used primarily in surveying and mapping. It equals 66 feet or 22 yards, which is exactly 20.1168 meters. The chain was historically significant in land surveying, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, where it was used to measure distances in the Public Land Survey System.
The chain is divided into 100 links, with each link measuring 7.92 inches (0.66 feet). This unit is still occasionally used in specialized fields such as forestry and some traditional surveying applications. Our chain conversion tool helps you easily convert between chains and other units. For example, 1 chain equals exactly 4 rods or 0.1 furlongs.
What is the SI of Chain?
The chain is not an SI (International System of Units) unit, but it can be precisely converted to SI units. The chain is exactly 20.1168 meters. All other metric conversions from chains are derived from this fundamental relationship. This makes chain to SI conversions particularly straightforward:
- 1 chain = 20.1168 meters
- 1 chain = 0.0201168 kilometers
- 1 chain = 2011.68 centimeters
- 1 chain = 20116.8 millimeters
- 1 chain = 20116800 micrometers
What are Chains Used For?
Chains are used in a variety of specialized applications, primarily in surveying and related fields. Though less common today than in historical contexts, chains remain relevant in several areas:
Land Surveying
Historically used in the U.S. Public Land Survey System to divide land into townships and sections. Even today, some legal land descriptions reference chains. For example, a section of land is one square mile, or 80 chains by 80 chains.
Forestry
Used in some forestry measurements, particularly in older timber cruising methods. For example, tree spacing or plot dimensions might be measured in chains.
Horse Racing
While furlongs are more commonly referenced, some racetracks were historically measured in chains. For example, a 1-mile race is exactly 80 chains.
Historical Research
Essential for interpreting historical documents, maps, and property deeds that use chain measurements. For example, understanding that a 19th-century survey describing a property as "40 chains by 20 chains" refers to an area of 800 square chains.
Etymology and History
The chain was introduced by Edmund Gunter, an English clergyman and mathematician, in 1620. Gunter's chain was 66 feet (20.1168 meters) long and consisted of 100 links, each 7.92 inches long. This length was chosen because it was a convenient subdivision of an acre; an acre is 10 square chains, which equals 43,560 square feet.
The chain became the standard for land surveying in Britain and its colonies, including the United States. The U.S. Public Land Survey System, established in 1785, used Gunter's chain as its primary measuring tool. The chain's relationship to other units was carefully designed: 10 chains make a furlong, and 80 chains make a mile. This historical definition continues to be the basis for all chain conversions today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the chain 66 feet long?
Gunter chose 66 feet because it was a convenient subdivision of an acre. An acre is defined as 43,560 square feet, which equals exactly 10 square chains (66 feet × 66 feet = 4,356 square feet per chain, × 10 = 43,560 square feet per acre). This relationship made land calculations much simpler in the pre-calculator era.
How accurate is the chain definition?
The chain is defined exactly as 20.1168 meters, which makes it extremely accurate for conversions. This definition was established in 1959 when the international yard and pound agreement standardized the relationships between imperial and metric units. All chain conversions using this definition are precise and internationally recognized.
What's the relationship between chains and other surveying units?
The chain has simple mathematical relationships with other traditional surveying units: 1 chain equals 4 rods (perches), 100 links, or 0.1 furlongs. For larger distances, 10 chains equal 1 furlong, and 80 chains equal 1 mile. These relationships made mental calculations easier for surveyors in the field.
How do I convert chains to other units?
Use our chain conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert chains to meters, multiply by 20.1168; to convert chains to feet, multiply by 66. For detailed instructions on converting chains to meters, visit our chain to meter converter.
What are common uses for chain conversion today?
Chain conversion is essential in historical research, legal land descriptions, forestry measurements, and surveying applications. It's also useful for understanding historical maps and documents. Whether calculating property dimensions from an old deed or converting measurements in a vintage forestry manual, our chain converter tool simplifies these specialized tasks.
How does chain conversion differ from other length units?
Unlike most metric units that are based on powers of ten, the chain has specific relationships with other imperial units (66 feet, 4 rods, 0.1 furlong). However, it has a precise metric equivalent (20.1168 meters), making conversions to metric units straightforward. This dual nature makes the chain unique among length units.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in chains?
Yes, our chain converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For microscopic work, convert nanometers to chains (1 nm = 4.97097e-11 chains). For astronomical distances, convert chains to light-years (1 ly ≈ 4.703e+14 chains). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your chain conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our chain conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning about historical surveying methods to professionals working with legacy land records.