A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Parsecs Converter — ch to pc
Convert Chain (ch) to Parsec (pc) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 6.519411e-16 parsec). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Chains to Parsecs 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 parsec is about 3.26156 light-years.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 3.08567758e+16.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Parsecs
Chain and Parsec both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and a parsec is about 3.26156 light-years.
Formula
parsecs = chains × 6.519411e-16
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 parsec equals 3.085678e+16 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-parsec factor of 6.519411e-16.
Simple example
1 ch × 6.519411e-16 = 6.519411e-16 pc
1 chain = 6.519411e-16 parsecs.
Real-world example
10 ch × 6.519411e-16 = 6.519411e-15 pc
10 chains = 6.519411e-15 parsecs.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Parsec (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 6.519411e-16 pc |
| 5 ch | 3.259705e-15 pc |
| 10 ch | 6.519411e-15 pc |
| 21.0975 ch | 1.375433e-14 pc |
| 42.195 ch | 2.750865e-14 pc |
| 100 ch | 6.519411e-14 pc |
Reverse conversion: Parsec to Chain
6.519411e-16 pc × 1.533881e+15 = 1.000000018 ch
6.519411e-16 parsecs = 1.000000018 chains.
chains = parsecs × 1.533881e+15
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Parsec to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Parsec
Parsec (pc) measures astronomical distance. The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond — approximately 3.26 light-years, or about 3.086 × 10¹⁶ meters. It is classified as a non-SI unit used in astronomy.
Where it's used: Standard distance unit throughout professional astronomy worldwide
Uses of the Parsec today
- Measuring distances to nearby stars via parallax
- Galactic and extragalactic distance scales in astrophysics research
History of the Parsec
The name is a portmanteau of 'parallax' and 'arcsecond,' reflecting how the unit is defined directly from the parallax method astronomers use to measure stellar distances: the tiny apparent shift in a nearby star's position as Earth orbits the Sun.
Historical origin. Parsec was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Parsec — sources
- IAU (International Astronomical Union) — parsec definition — Standard astronomical definition of the parsec via stellar parallax.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many parsecs are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 6.519411e-16 parsecs, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to parsec?
Multiply the chain value by 6.519411e-16. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert parsec back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 parsec equals 1.533881e+15 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 parsec?
Parsec (pc) measures astronomical distance. The distance at which one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one arcsecond — approximately 3.26 light-years, or about 3.086 × 10¹⁶ meters. It is classified as a non-SI unit used in astronomy.
Is the chain to parsec conversion exact?
Yes. Both chain and parsec are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 6.519411e-16 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.