Centimeter is 0.01 meter units.
Centimeters to Chains Converter — cm to ch
Convert Centimeter (cm) to Chain (ch) using the exact conversion factor (1 centimeter = 0.000497097 chain). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Centimeters to Chains converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Result = input x 0.01 / 20.1168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Centimeters to Chains
Centimeter and Chain both measure length. Centimeter is most often used for everyday small-object and body measurement (height, clothing sizes) outside the us.
Formula
chains = centimeters × 0.00049709695379
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 centimeter equals 0.01 base units, and 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct centimeter-to-chain factor of 0.00049709695379.
Simple example
1 cm × 0.0004970969538 = 0.000497097 ch
1 centimeter = 0.000497097 chains.
Real-world example
10 cm × 0.0004970969538 = 0.0049709695 ch
10 centimeters = 0.0049709695 chains.
Conversion table
| Centimeter (cm) | Chain (ch) |
|---|---|
| 1 cm | 0.000497097 ch |
| 5 cm | 0.0024854848 ch |
| 10 cm | 0.0049709695 ch |
| 21.0975 cm | 0.010487503 ch |
| 42.195 cm | 0.020975006 ch |
| 100 cm | 0.0497096954 ch |
Reverse conversion: Chain to Centimeter
0.000497097 ch × 2011.68 = 1.000000093 cm
0.000497097 chains = 1.000000093 centimeters.
centimeters = chains × 2011.68
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Chain to Centimeter.
Understanding the Centimeter
Centimeter (cm) measures distance. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US
Uses of the Centimeter today
- Everyday small-object and body measurement (height, clothing sizes) outside the US
- Construction and manufacturing tolerances internationally
History of the Centimeter
The centimeter follows directly from the meter via the 'centi-' SI prefix (10⁻²), introduced with the metric system in the 1790s.
Historical origin. Centimeter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Centimeter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'centi-' as the prefix for 10⁻².
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many chains are in 1 centimeter?
1 centimeter equals 0.000497097 chains, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert centimeter to chain?
Multiply the centimeter value by 0.0004970969538. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert chain back to centimeter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 chain equals 2,011.68 centimeters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a centimeter?
Centimeter (cm) measures distance. A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
Is the centimeter to chain conversion exact?
Yes. Both centimeter and chain are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.0004970969538 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the centimeter still used today?
Standard small-length unit worldwide except the US