A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Miles Converter — ch to mi
Convert Chain (ch) to Mile (mi) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 0.0125 mile). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Chains to Miles 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 statute mile is exactly 1,609.344 meters.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 1609.344.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Miles
Chain and Mile both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and a statute mile is exactly 1,609.344 meters.
Formula
miles = chains × 0.0125
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 mile equals 1609.344 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-mile factor of 0.0125.
Simple example
1 ch × 0.0125 = 0.0125 mi
1 chain = 0.0125 miles.
Real-world example
10 ch × 0.0125 = 0.125 mi
10 chains = 0.125 miles.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Mile (mi) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 0.0125 mi |
| 5 ch | 0.0625 mi |
| 10 ch | 0.125 mi |
| 21.0975 ch | 0.26371875 mi |
| 42.195 ch | 0.5274375 mi |
| 100 ch | 1.25 mi |
Reverse conversion: Mile to Chain
0.0125 mi × 80 = 1 ch
0.0125 miles = 1 chain.
chains = miles × 80
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Mile to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Mile
Mile (mi) measures distance. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States United Kingdom (road distances and speed limits)
Uses of the Mile today
- Road signage, speed limits, and odometers in the US and UK
- Everyday distance estimates in US/UK contexts
- Aviation and marine contexts use the related but distinct nautical mile instead
History of the Mile
The mile traces back to the Roman 'mille passus' ('a thousand paces'), about 1,000 double-steps of a marching legion, roughly 1,480 meters. The English statute mile diverged from this over the medieval period.
Elizabeth I's government fixed the English statute mile at 5,280 feet in 1593, replacing the old Roman-derived value so it would align evenly with the furlong (660 ft), a unit already standard in English land measurement.
The modern international mile (1,609.344 m exactly) was fixed by the same 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement that standardized the pound, tying it to the internationally agreed yard of exactly 0.9144 meters.
Historical origin. Mile was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Mile — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern mile via the international yard.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many miles are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 0.0125 miles, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to mile?
Multiply the chain value by 0.0125. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert mile back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 mile equals 80 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 mile?
Mile (mi) measures distance. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the chain to mile conversion exact?
Yes. The international statute mile is defined as exactly 1,609.344 meters (5,280 feet). That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.