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1 chain equals 20.1168 metres.
To convert 1 chain to metres, you multiply the number of chains by 20.1168, since one chain is defined as exactly 20.1168 metres. This means, if you have 1 chain, it is equivalent to 20.1168 metres, making it easy to switch between these units in measurements involving land or surveying.
Conversion Tool
Result in metres:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert chains to metres multiplies the number of chains by 20.1168 because this is the fixed length of one chain in metres. For example, if you have 2 chains, the calculation is 2 x 20.1168, resulting in 40.2336 metres. This direct multiplication ensures accurate conversion based on the established measurement equivalence.
Conversion Example
- Converting 3 chains to metres:
- Step 1: Take the number 3 (chains).
- Step 2: Multiply 3 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 3 x 20.1168 = 60.3504 metres.
- Result: 3 chains equals 60.3504 metres.
- Converting 0.5 chains:
- Step 1: Use 0.5 (chains).
- Step 2: Multiply 0.5 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 0.5 x 20.1168 = 10.0584 metres.
- Result: 0.5 chains is 10.0584 metres.
- Converting 10 chains:
- Step 1: Take 10 (chains).
- Step 2: Multiply 10 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 10 x 20.1168 = 201.1 metres.
- Result: 10 chains is 201.1 metres.
Conversion Chart
This chart shows how different chain values convert to metres. Read across a row to see the value in chains and down the column for the corresponding metres. Use this to quickly find conversions without calculation for common measurements.
| Chains | Metres |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -482.8 |
| -20.0 | -402.3 |
| -16.0 | -321.9 |
| -12.0 | -241.4 |
| -8.0 | -160.9 |
| -4.0 | -80.4 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 4.0 | 80.4 |
| 8.0 | 160.9 |
| 12.0 | 241.4 |
| 16.0 | 321.9 |
| 20.0 | 402.3 |
| 24.0 | 482.8 |
| 26.0 | 522.2 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many metres are in 1.5 chains?
- What is the length of 0.1 chain in metres?
- How do I convert chains to metres for land measurement?
- Is 1 chain equivalent to 20 metres or more?
- How many metres does 5 chains cover in surveying?
- What is the conversion factor from chains to metres?
- Can I convert fractional chains into metres easily?
Conversion Definitions
A chain is a traditional surveyor’s unit of length, equal to 66 feet or 20.1168 metres, used mainly in land measurement. It simplifies calculations in property and land assessments by representing a standard measurement across different regions.
Metres are a fundamental metric unit of length, defined as the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 seconds. It provides a universal standard for measuring distances in science, construction, and everyday measurement, replacing older units like feet or yards.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the length of a chain fixed at 20.1168 metres?
The length of a chain was standardized historically for land measurement, especially in British measurement systems, to streamline property calculations and mapping. The exact value of 20.1168 metres was derived from the traditional 66 feet length, ensuring consistency worldwide.
Can I convert chains to other metric units besides metres?
Yes, once you convert chains to metres, you can further convert metres to kilometres by dividing by 1000, or to centimetres by multiplying by 100. Knowing the base conversion to metres makes it easy to switch into other metric measurements for various applications.
What are common uses of chains in current measurements?
Although less common today, chains are still used in land surveying, especially in the United States and UK, for measuring property boundaries, fencing, and land division. Converting these measurements into metres helps align with modern metric standards and international practices.
