The meter is the SI base unit of length.
Meters to Links Converter — m to li
Convert Meter (m) to Link (li) using the exact conversion factor (1 meter = 4.970969538 link). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Meters to Links 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 link is 1/100 of a chain.
Result = input x 1 / 0.201168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Meters to Links
Meter and Link both measure length. Meter is most often used for universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the us.
Formula
links = meters × 4.9709695379
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 meter equals 1 base unit, and 1 link equals 0.201168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct meter-to-link factor of 4.9709695379.
Simple example
1 m × 4.970969538 = 4.970969538 li
1 meter = 4.970969538 links.
Real-world example
10 m × 4.970969538 = 49.70969538 li
10 meters = 49.70969538 links.
Conversion table
| Meter (m) | Link (li) |
|---|---|
| 1 m | 4.970969538 li |
| 5 m | 24.85484769 li |
| 10 m | 49.70969538 li |
| 21.0975 m | 104.8750298 li |
| 42.195 m | 209.7500597 li |
| 100 m | 497.0969538 li |
Reverse conversion: Link to Meter
4.970969538 li × 0.201168 = 1 m
4.970969538 links = 1 meters.
meters = links × 0.201168
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Link to Meter.
Understanding the Meter
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
Where it's used: Standard length unit worldwide except the US
Uses of the Meter today
- Universal scientific and everyday length measurement outside the US
- Construction, engineering, and manufacturing internationally
History of the Meter
Defined during the French Revolutionary metric reforms as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator, the meter has been redefined several times for precision — a platinum-iridium bar (1889), a krypton-86 wavelength (1960), and since 1983, the distance light travels in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Historical origin. Meter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Link (li)
A surveyor's link is 1/100 of a chain.
Meter — sources
- BIPM — The metre (SI base unit) — Current definition and history of the meter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many links are in 1 meter?
1 meter equals 4.970969538 links, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert meter to link?
Multiply the meter value by 4.970969538. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert link back to meter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 link equals 0.201168 meters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a meter?
Meter (m) measures distance. The meter is the SI base unit of length, currently defined via the fixed speed of light. It is classified as a SI base unit.
What is a link?
Link (li) is a unit of length.
Is the meter to link conversion exact?
Yes. Both meter and link are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 4.970969538 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Where is the meter still used today?
Standard length unit worldwide except the US