A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Decimeters Converter — ch to dm
Convert Chain (ch) to Decimeter (dm) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 201.168 decimeter). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Chains to Decimeters 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.
Decimeter is 0.1 meter units.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 0.1.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Decimeters
Chain and Decimeter both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and decimeter is 0.1 meter units.
Formula
decimeters = chains × 201.168
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 decimeter equals 0.1 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-decimeter factor of 201.168.
Simple example
1 ch × 201.168 = 201.168 dm
1 chain = 201.168 decimeters.
Real-world example
10 ch × 201.168 = 2,011.68 dm
10 chains = 2,011.68 decimeters.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Decimeter (dm) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 201.168 dm |
| 5 ch | 1,005.84 dm |
| 10 ch | 2,011.68 dm |
| 21.0975 ch | 4,244.14188 dm |
| 42.195 ch | 8,488.28376 dm |
| 100 ch | 20,116.8 dm |
Reverse conversion: Decimeter to Chain
201.168 dm × 0.004970969538 = 1 ch
201.168 decimeters = 1 chain.
chains = decimeters × 0.0049709695379
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Decimeter to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Decimeter (dm)
Decimeter is 0.1 meter units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many decimeters are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 201.168 decimeters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to decimeter?
Multiply the chain value by 201.168. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert decimeter back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 decimeter equals 0.0049709695 chains. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
What is a decimeter?
Decimeter (dm) is a unit of length.
Is the chain to decimeter conversion exact?
Yes. Both chain and decimeter are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 201.168 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.