A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Micrometers Converter — ch to um
Convert Chain (ch) to Micrometer (um) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 20,116,800 micrometer). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Chains to Micrometers 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.
Micrometer is 0.000001 meter units.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 1e-6.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Micrometers
Chain and Micrometer both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and micrometer is 0.000001 meter units.
Formula
micrometers = chains × 20116800
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 micrometer equals 0.000001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-micrometer factor of 20116800.
Simple example
1 ch × 20116800 = 20,116,800 um
1 chain = 20,116,800 micrometers.
Real-world example
10 ch × 20116800 = 201,168,000 um
10 chains = 201,168,000 micrometers.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Micrometer (um) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 20,116,800 um |
| 5 ch | 100,584,000 um |
| 10 ch | 201,168,000 um |
| 21.0975 ch | 424,414,188 um |
| 42.195 ch | 848,828,376 um |
| 100 ch | 2,011,680,000 um |
Reverse conversion: Micrometer to Chain
1 um × 4.97097e-8 = 4.97097e-8 ch
1 micrometer = 4.97097e-8 chains.
chains = micrometers × 4.97097e-8
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Micrometer to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Micrometer (um)
Micrometer is 0.000001 meter units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many micrometers are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 20,116,800 micrometers, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to micrometer?
Multiply the chain value by 20116800. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert micrometer back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 micrometer equals 4.97097e-8 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 micrometer?
Micrometer (um) is a unit of length.
Is the chain to micrometer conversion exact?
Yes. Both chain and micrometer are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 20116800 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.