A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Links to Nautical miles Converter — li to nmi
Convert Link (li) to Nautical mile (nmi) using the exact conversion factor (1 link = 0.000108622 nautical mile). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Links to Nautical miles 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 nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters.
Result = input x 0.201168 / 1852.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Links to Nautical miles
Link and Nautical mile both measure length. Specifically: A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain, and a nautical mile is exactly 1,852 meters.
Formula
nautical miles = links × 0.000108622030238
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 link equals 0.201168 base units, and 1 nautical mile equals 1852 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct link-to-nautical mile factor of 0.000108622030238.
Simple example
1 li × 0.0001086220302 = 0.000108622 nmi
1 link = 0.000108622 nautical miles.
Real-world example
10 li × 0.0001086220302 = 0.0010862203 nmi
10 links = 0.0010862203 nautical miles.
Conversion table
| Link (li) | Nautical mile (nmi) |
|---|---|
| 1 li | 0.000108622 nmi |
| 5 li | 0.0005431102 nmi |
| 10 li | 0.0010862203 nmi |
| 21.0975 li | 0.0022916533 nmi |
| 42.195 li | 0.0045833066 nmi |
| 100 li | 0.010862203 nmi |
Reverse conversion: Nautical mile to Link
0.000108622 nmi × 9206.235584 = 0.9999997216 li
0.000108622 nautical miles = 0.9999997216 links.
links = nautical miles × 9206.23558419
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Nautical mile to Link.
Understanding the Link (li)
A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Understanding the Nautical mile
Nautical mile (nmi) measures distance. The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters, standardized in 1929. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (maritime/aviation).
Where it's used: Used internationally in maritime navigation and aviation.
Uses of the Nautical mile today
- Marine and aviation distance and navigation
- Basis for the knot (nautical miles per hour)
History of the Nautical mile
The nautical mile was historically defined as one minute of latitude along a meridian, directly tying sea navigation to the Earth's geometry, which made it practical for chart-based navigation using a ship's known latitude. The International Hydrographic Bureau standardized it at exactly 1,852 meters in 1929, a value close to the traditional latitude-based definitions used by different countries.
Historical origin. Nautical mile was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Nautical mile — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Lists the nautical mile among accepted non-SI units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many nautical miles are in 1 link?
1 link equals 0.000108622 nautical miles, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert link to nautical mile?
Multiply the link value by 0.0001086220302. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert nautical mile back to link?
Use the reverse factor: 1 nautical mile equals 9,206.235584 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 nautical mile?
Nautical mile (nmi) measures distance. The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters, standardized in 1929. It is classified as a Non-SI unit accepted for use with SI (maritime/aviation).
Is the link to nautical mile conversion exact?
Yes. The international nautical mile is defined as exactly 1,852 meters, standardized in 1929. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.