An inch is exactly 0.0254 meters.
Inches to Chains Converter — in to ch
Convert Inch (in) to Chain (ch) using the exact conversion factor (1 inch = 0.0012626263 chain). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Inches 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 0.0254 / 20.1168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Inches to Chains
Inch and Chain both measure length. Inch is most often used for screen and display size measurement worldwide (even in metric countries).
Formula
chains = inches × 0.00126262626263
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 inch equals 0.0254 base units, and 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct inch-to-chain factor of 0.00126262626263.
Simple example
1 in × 0.001262626263 = 0.0012626263 ch
1 inch = 0.0012626263 chains.
Real-world example
10 in × 0.001262626263 = 0.0126262626 ch
10 inches = 0.0126262626 chains.
Conversion table
| Inch (in) | Chain (ch) |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.0012626263 ch |
| 5 in | 0.0063131313 ch |
| 10 in | 0.0126262626 ch |
| 21.0975 in | 0.0266382576 ch |
| 42.195 in | 0.0532765152 ch |
| 100 in | 0.1262626263 ch |
Reverse conversion: Chain to Inch
0.0012626263 ch × 792 = 1.00000003 in
0.0012626263 chains = 1.00000003 inches.
inches = chains × 792
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Chain to Inch.
Understanding the Inch
Inch (in) measures distance. The international inch is defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States and United Kingdom (small measurements, screen sizes, hardware)
Uses of the Inch today
- Screen and display size measurement worldwide (even in metric countries)
- US/UK small-object and body measurement
- Hardware, tools, and pipe fittings (US)
History of the Inch
The inch traces to medieval England, traditionally defined as the length of three barleycorns, later standardized as 1/12 of a foot. The international inch (exactly 25.4 mm) was fixed by the same 1959 agreement that standardized the foot and yard.
Historical origin. Inch 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.
Inch — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern inch at exactly 25.4 millimeters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many chains are in 1 inch?
1 inch equals 0.0012626263 chains, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert inch to chain?
Multiply the inch value by 0.001262626263. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert chain back to inch?
Use the reverse factor: 1 chain equals 792 inches. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a inch?
Inch (in) measures distance. The international inch is defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
Is the inch to chain conversion exact?
Yes. The international inch is defined as exactly 25.4 millimeters. 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 inch still used today?
United States and United Kingdom (small measurements, screen sizes, hardware)