The conversion of 1 chain to metres equals approximately 20.1168 metres.
A chain is a traditional unit of length used in land measurement, especially in agriculture and surveying. It equals exactly 66 feet, which, when converted into the metric system, results in about 20.1168 metres, making it useful for measuring distances in different measurement systems.
Conversion Result for 1 Chain to Metres
Conversion Tool
Result in metres:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert chains into metres multiplies the number of chains by 20.1168, because a single chain is defined as exactly 66 feet, and 1 foot is equal to 0.3048 metres. Therefore, 66 feet multiplied by 0.3048 gives 20.1168 metres. For example, if converting 2 chains, you multiply 2 by 20.1168, resulting in 40.2336 metres. This works because it directly scales the length from the imperial to metric system based on the fixed conversion factors.
Conversion Example
- Convert 2 chains:
- Multiply 2 by 20.1168
- 2 × 20.1168 = 40.2336 metres
- Result: 2 chains equals approximately 40.2336 metres
- Convert 0.5 chains:
- Multiply 0.5 by 20.1168
- 0.5 × 20.1168 = 10.0584 metres
- Result: 0.5 chains equals approximately 10.0584 metres
- Convert 5 chains:
- Multiply 5 by 20.1168
- 5 × 20.1168 = 100.584 metres
- Result: 5 chains equals approximately 100.584 metres
Conversion Chart
| Chains | Metres |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -484.84 |
| -20.0 | -402.34 |
| -16.0 | -321.74 |
| -12.0 | -241.15 |
| -8.0 | -160.55 |
| -4.0 | -79.96 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 4.0 | 80.47 |
| 8.0 | 160.94 |
| 12.0 | 241.41 |
| 16.0 | 321.88 |
| 20.0 | 402.34 |
| 24.0 | 482.81 |
| 26.0 | 523.37 |
To read and use the chart, find the number of chains on the left column, then look across to see the corresponding value in metres. It helps to quickly estimate conversions for various chain lengths without calculating each time.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many metres are in 1.5 chains?
- What is the length of 10 chains in metres?
- How do I convert chains to metres for land measurement?
- What is the equivalent of 0.1 chain in metres?
- Can I convert chains to metres using an online calculator?
- What is 3 chains in metres in surveying?
- How many metres is 50 chains?
Conversion Definitions
A chain is a unit of length originally used in land measurement, equal to 66 feet or 20.1168 metres, standard in surveying for measuring property boundaries and distances in imperial units.
Metres are the base unit of length in the metric system, defined as the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 seconds, widely used worldwide for scientific, engineering, and everyday measurements.
Conversion FAQs
How precise is the conversion from chains to metres?
The conversion uses the fixed value of 1 chain = 20.1168 metres, making it highly precise for most practical purposes. Small variations are negligible, but for extremely precise surveying, additional calibration might be needed.
Can I convert any length in chains to metres?
Yes, the formula applies to any number of chains, whether fractional or whole. Simply multiply the number of chains by 20.1168 to get the length in metres, making the conversion straightforward and easy to perform manually or with tools.
Why is the chain still used in some measurements?
Although largely replaced by the metre, the chain remains in use in certain surveying practices, especially in regions or contexts where traditional units are still standard, or for historical property boundary descriptions.
