A foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
Feet to Chains Converter — ft to ch
Convert Foot (ft) to Chain (ch) using the exact conversion factor (1 foot = 0.0151515152 chain). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Feet to Chains 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 surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Result = input x 0.3048 / 20.1168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Feet to Chains
Foot and Chain both measure length. Foot is most often used for height measurement in the us and uk.
Formula
chains = feet × 0.0151515151515
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 foot equals 0.3048 base units, and 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct foot-to-chain factor of 0.0151515151515.
Simple example
1 ft × 0.01515151515 = 0.0151515152 ch
1 foot = 0.0151515152 chains.
Real-world example
10 ft × 0.01515151515 = 0.1515151515 ch
10 feet = 0.1515151515 chains.
Conversion table
| Foot (ft) | Chain (ch) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft | 0.0151515152 ch |
| 5 ft | 0.0757575758 ch |
| 10 ft | 0.1515151515 ch |
| 21.0975 ft | 0.3196590909 ch |
| 42.195 ft | 0.6393181818 ch |
| 100 ft | 1.515151515 ch |
Reverse conversion: Chain to Foot
0.0151515152 ch × 66 = 1.000000003 ft
0.0151515152 chains = 1.000000003 feet.
feet = chains × 66
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Chain to Foot.
Understanding the Foot
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)
Uses of the Foot today
- Height measurement in the US and UK
- US construction and real estate (square footage)
- Aviation altitude worldwide (feet remain standard even in metric countries)
History of the Foot
The foot has ancient roots (Roman 'pes', various regional English feet), standardized into the modern English foot over centuries. The international foot (exactly 0.3048 m) was fixed by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, resolving small historical differences between US and UK measurements.
Historical origin. Foot was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern foot at exactly 0.3048 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many chains are in 1 foot?
1 foot equals 0.0151515152 chains, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert foot to chain?
Multiply the foot value by 0.01515151515. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert chain back to foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 chain equals 66 feet. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a foot?
Foot (ft) measures distance. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
Is the foot to chain conversion exact?
Yes. The international foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 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.
Where is the foot still used today?
United States (height, construction, aviation altitude) United Kingdom (height, some construction contexts)