A hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Hands to Chains Converter — hh to ch
Convert Hand (hh) to Chain (ch) using the exact conversion factor (1 hand = 0.0050505051 chain). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Hands 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 0.1016 / 20.1168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Hands to Chains
Hand and Chain both measure length. Specifically: A hand is four inches, often used for horse height, and a surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Formula
chains = hands × 0.00505050505051
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 hand equals 0.1016 base units, and 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct hand-to-chain factor of 0.00505050505051.
Simple example
1 hh × 0.005050505051 = 0.0050505051 ch
1 hand = 0.0050505051 chains.
Real-world example
10 hh × 0.005050505051 = 0.0505050505 ch
10 hands = 0.0505050505 chains.
Conversion table
| Hand (hh) | Chain (ch) |
|---|---|
| 1 hh | 0.0050505051 ch |
| 5 hh | 0.0252525253 ch |
| 10 hh | 0.0505050505 ch |
| 21.0975 hh | 0.1065530303 ch |
| 42.195 hh | 0.2131060606 ch |
| 100 hh | 0.5050505051 ch |
Reverse conversion: Chain to Hand
0.0050505051 ch × 198 = 1.00000001 hh
0.0050505051 chains = 1.00000001 hands.
hands = chains × 198
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Chain to Hand.
Understanding the Hand (hh)
A hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Understanding the Chain (ch)
A surveyor's chain is 66 feet.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many chains are in 1 hand?
1 hand equals 0.0050505051 chains, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert hand to chain?
Multiply the hand value by 0.005050505051. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert chain back to hand?
Use the reverse factor: 1 chain equals 198 hands. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a hand?
Hand (hh) is a unit of length.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
Is the hand to chain conversion exact?
Yes. Both hand and chain are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.005050505051 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.