A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Links to Hands Converter — li to hh
Convert Link (li) to Hand (hh) using the exact conversion factor (1 link = 1.98 hand). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Links to Hands 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 hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Result = input x 0.201168 / 0.1016.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Links to Hands
Link and Hand both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain, and a hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Formula
hands = links × 1.98
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 link equals 0.201168 base units, and 1 hand equals 0.1016 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct link-to-hand factor of 1.98.
Simple example
1 li × 1.98 = 1.98 hh
1 link = 1.98 hands.
Real-world example
10 li × 1.98 = 19.8 hh
10 links = 19.8 hands.
Conversion table
| Link (li) | Hand (hh) |
|---|---|
| 1 li | 1.98 hh |
| 5 li | 9.9 hh |
| 10 li | 19.8 hh |
| 21.0975 li | 41.77305 hh |
| 42.195 li | 83.5461 hh |
| 100 li | 198 hh |
Reverse conversion: Hand to Link
1.98 hh × 0.5050505051 = 1 li
1.98 hands = 1 links.
links = hands × 0.505050505051
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Hand to Link.
Understanding the Link (li)
A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Understanding the Hand (hh)
A hand is four inches, often used for horse height.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many hands are in 1 link?
1 link equals 1.98 hands, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert link to hand?
Multiply the link value by 1.98. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert hand back to link?
Use the reverse factor: 1 hand equals 0.5050505051 links. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a link?
Link (li) is a unit of length.
What is a hand?
Hand (hh) is a unit of length.
Is the link to hand conversion exact?
Yes. Both link and hand are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1.98 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.