A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Meters Converter — ch to m
Convert Chain (ch) to Meter (m) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 20.1168 meter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Chains to Meters 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.
The meter is the SI base unit of length.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 1.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Meters
Chain and Meter both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and the meter is the SI base unit of length.
Formula
meters = chains × 20.1168
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 meter equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-meter factor of 20.1168.
Simple example
1 ch × 20.1168 = 20.1168 m
1 chain = 20.1168 meters.
Real-world example
10 ch × 20.1168 = 201.168 m
10 chains = 201.168 meters.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Meter (m) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 20.1168 m |
| 5 ch | 100.584 m |
| 10 ch | 201.168 m |
| 21.0975 ch | 424.414188 m |
| 42.195 ch | 848.828376 m |
| 100 ch | 2,011.68 m |
Reverse conversion: Meter to Chain
20.1168 m × 0.04970969538 = 1 ch
20.1168 meters = 1 chain.
chains = meters × 0.049709695379
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Meter to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Meter
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
Where it's used: Standard length unit worldwide except the US
Uses of the Meter today
- Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US
- Construction, engineering, and manufacturing internationally
History of the Meter
Defined during the French Revolutionary metric reforms as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator, the meter has been redefined several times for precision — a platinum-iridium bar (1889), a krypton-86 wavelength (1960), and since 1983, the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Historical origin. Meter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Meter — sources
- BIPM — The metre (SI base unit) — Current definition and history of the meter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many meters are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 20.1168 meters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to meter?
Multiply the chain value by 20.1168. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert meter back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 meter equals 0.0497096954 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 meter?
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
Is the chain to meter conversion exact?
Yes. Both chain and meter are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 20.1168 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.