What this converter does
This converter turns the surveyor’s chain into metres and back, along with links, rods, feet and fathoms. These units run through old deeds, cadastral plans and survey field notes. Every pair uses an exact factor, so results are precise. Type a value and read the answer instantly.
One chain is exactly 20.1168 metres — 66 feet, or 100 links. It underpins the acre, which is 10 square chains.
The units it covers
Traditional surveying lengths, each with a fixed value in metres.
View all units & their values
| Unit | Symbol | Value | Mainly used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | 20.1168 | Old cadastral surveys |
| Metre | m | 1 | SI base length |
| Link | li | 0.201168 | 1/100 of a chain |
| Rod / pole | rod | 5.0292 | Land measurement |
| Foot | ft | 0.3048 | US/UK survey work |
| Fathom | ftm | 1.8288 | Depth soundings |
The formula
Each unit has a fixed value in metres, so any pair converts through the metre:
result = value × factor_from ÷ factor_toWhere:
- value = the number you typed
- factor_from = the “from” unit in metres
- factor_to = the “to” unit in metres
Worked example
Convert 5 chains to metres.
1 chain = 20.1168 m5 × 20.1168 = 100.584 mSo 5 chains is about 100.6 metres — a full chain tape laid five times.
The units in this example
A traditional surveying length of 66 feet (20.1168 m), divided into 100 links. Still met in old land records.
- 1 chain = 20.1168 m
- 1 chain = 66 ft
- 1 chain = 100 links
- 10 sq chains = 1 acre
The SI base unit of length, used in all modern survey and mapping work.
- 1 m ≈ 0.0497 chain
- 1 m = 3.2808 ft
- 1 m ≈ 4.971 links
- 1 km ≈ 49.71 chains