A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Chains to Yards Converter — ch to yd
Convert Chain (ch) to Yard (yd) using the exact conversion factor (1 chain = 22 yard). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Chains to Yards 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 yard is exactly 0.9144 meters.
Result = input x 20.1168 / 0.9144.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Chains to Yards
Chain and Yard both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's chain is 66 feet, and a yard is exactly 0.9144 meters.
Formula
yards = chains × 22
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, and 1 yard equals 0.9144 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct chain-to-yard factor of 22.
Simple example
1 ch × 22 = 22 yd
1 chain = 22 yards.
Real-world example
10 ch × 22 = 220 yd
10 chains = 220 yards.
Conversion table
| Chain (ch) | Yard (yd) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 22 yd |
| 5 ch | 110 yd |
| 10 ch | 220 yd |
| 21.0975 ch | 464.145 yd |
| 42.195 ch | 928.29 yd |
| 100 ch | 2,200 yd |
Reverse conversion: Yard to Chain
22 yd × 0.04545454545 = 1 ch
22 yards = 1 chain.
chains = yards × 0.0454545454545
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Yard to Chain.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Understanding the Yard
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States and United Kingdom (sports fields, fabric, some construction)
Uses of the Yard today
- American football field measurement
- Fabric and textile measurement
- Golf and other sports distances in the US/UK
History of the Yard
The yard has English origins possibly tied to a standard 'gird' or arm's-length measure; it was fixed at exactly 0.9144 meters by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, the same treaty that standardized the foot, inch, mile, and pound.
Historical origin. Yard was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Yard — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern yard at exactly 0.9144 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many yards are in 1 chain?
1 chain equals 22 yards, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert chain to yard?
Multiply the chain value by 22. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert yard back to chain?
Use the reverse factor: 1 yard equals 0.0454545455 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 yard?
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the chain to yard conversion exact?
Yes. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.