A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Hands Converter — ch to hh
Convert Chain (ch) to Hand (hh) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 198 hand). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Chains to Hands 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 hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 0.1016.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Hands
Chain and Hand both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and a hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Formula
hands = chains × 198
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 hand equals 0.1016 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-hand factor of 198.
Simple example
1 ch × 198 = 198 hh
1 chain = 198 hands.
Real-world example
10 ch × 198 = 1,980 hh
10 chains = 1,980 hands.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Hand (hh) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 198 hh |
| 5 ch | 990 hh |
| 10 ch | 1,980 hh |
| 21.0975 ch | 4,177.305 hh |
| 42.195 ch | 8,354.61 hh |
| 100 ch | 19,800 hh |
Reverse conversion: Hand to Chain
198 hh × 0.005050505051 = 1 ch
198 hands = 1 chains.
chains = hands × 0.00505050505051
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Hand to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Hand (hh)
A hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many hands are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 198 hands, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to hand?
Multiply the chain value by 198. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert hand back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 hand equals 0.0050505051 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 hand?
Hand (hh) is a unit of length.
Is the chain to hand conversion exact?
Yes. Both chain and hand are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 198 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.