The conversion of 1 chain equals 20.1168 metres. This means that one chain is approximately 20.12 metres long.
A chain is a measurement unit primarily used in land surveying, and it is equal to 66 feet or 22 yards. To convert a chain to metres, we multiply the number of chains by 20.1168, since 1 chain is exactly 20.1168 metres. For example, converting 1 chain involves multiplying 1 by 20.1168, giving a result of 20.1168 metres.
Conversion Result
1 chain is equal to approximately 20.12 metres.
Conversion Tool
Result in metres:
Conversion Formula
The conversion formula to change chains into metres is: metres = chains * 20.1168. This works because a single chain is defined as exactly 20.1168 metres. By multiplying the number of chains by this constant, you directly get the equivalent length in metres.
For example, for 2 chains: 2 * 20.1168 = 40.2336 metres. The formula ensures precise conversion as it uses the exact value of a chain in metres, allowing for accurate measurement translation between the units.
Conversion Example
- Convert 2 chains:
- Step 1: Take the value, which is 2.
- Step 2: Multiply 2 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 2 * 20.1168 = 40.2336.
- Step 4: Result is 40.2336 metres.
- Convert 0.5 chains:
- Step 1: Take the value, which is 0.5.
- Step 2: Multiply 0.5 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 0.5 * 20.1168 = 10.0584.
- Step 4: Result is 10.0584 metres.
- Convert 5 chains:
- Step 1: Use 5 as the value.
- Step 2: Multiply 5 by 20.1168.
- Step 3: 5 * 20.1168 = 100.584.
- Step 4: Result is 100.584 metres.
Conversion Chart
| Chains | Metres |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -482.8032 |
| -23.0 | -463.4384 |
| -22.0 | -444.0736 |
| -21.0 | -424.7088 |
| -20.0 | -405.344 |
| -19.0 | -385.9792 |
| -18.0 | -366.6144 |
| -17.0 | -347.2496 |
| -16.0 | -327.8848 |
| -15.0 | -308.52 |
| -14.0 | -289.1552 |
| -13.0 | -269.7904 |
| -12.0 | -250.4256 |
| -11.0 | -231.0608 |
| -10.0 | -211.696 |
| -9.0 | -192.3312 |
| -8.0 | -172.9664 |
| -7.0 | -153.6016 |
| -6.0 | -134.2368 |
| -5.0 | -114.872 |
| -4.0 | -95.5072 |
| -3.0 | -76.1424 |
| -2.0 | -56.7776 |
| -1.0 | -37.4128 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1.0 | 20.1168 |
| 2.0 | 40.2336 |
| 3.0 | 60.3504 |
| 4.0 | 80.4672 |
| 5.0 | 100.584 |
| 6.0 | 120.7008 |
| 7.0 | 140.8176 |
| 8.0 | 160.9344 |
| 9.0 | 181.0512 |
| 10.0 | 201.168 |
| 11.0 | 221.2848 |
| 12.0 | 241.4016 |
| 13.0 | 261.5184 |
| 14.0 | 281.6352 |
| 15.0 | 301.752 |
| 16.0 | 321.8688 |
| 17.0 | 341.9856 |
| 18.0 | 362.1024 |
| 19.0 | 382.2192 |
| 20.0 | 402.336 |
| 21.0 | 422.4528 |
| 22.0 | 442.5696 |
| 23.0 | 462.6864 |
| 24.0 | 482.8032 |
| 25.0 | 502.92 |
| 26.0 | 523.0368 |
Use this chart to quickly find the metre equivalent for any chain value between -24.0 and 26.0.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many metres are in 1.5 chains?
- What is the length of 0.75 chain in metres?
- Can I convert 1 chain to feet or yards instead of metres?
- How do I convert chains to kilometres?
- What is the equivalent of 1 chain in inches?
- How many metres are in 10 chains for land measurements?
- Is there an easy way to convert chains to metres without a calculator?
Conversion Definitions
Chain
A chain is a land measurement unit used mainly in surveying, equal to 66 feet or 22 yards, and exactly 20.1168 metres. It was historically used to measure plots of land, especially in rural areas, for ease of calculating areas and boundaries.
Metres
Metres are the base unit of length in the metric system, used worldwide for scientific, industrial, and everyday measurements. One metre is equal to 100 centimetres or approximately 39.37 inches, representing the standard measure of distance in most contexts.
Conversion FAQs
How precise is the conversion of 1 chain to metres?
The conversion uses a fixed value of 20.1168 metres per chain, providing exact results based on the standard definition. For most practical purposes, rounding to four decimal places offers sufficient accuracy for land measurement and other applications.
Why is the chain still used in some countries instead of metric units?
The chain’s historical significance in land surveying and legal land descriptions has maintained its usage, especially in rural and cadastral contexts. Its relation to acres and ease of calculating area makes it convenient despite the metric system’s prevalence.
Can I convert chains to other units like miles or kilometers?
Yes, to convert chains to miles, divide the number of chains by 80.4672, since 1 mile equals 80.4672 chains. To convert to kilometers, multiply the number of chains by 0.201168, as 1 chain equals 0.201168 kilometres, ensuring accurate conversions in broader units.