A yard is exactly 0.9144 meters.
Yards to Chains Converter — yd to ch
Convert Yard (yd) to Chain (ch) using the exact conversion factor (1 yard = 0.0454545455 chain). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Yards 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 0.9144 / 20.1168.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Yards to Chains
Yard and Chain both measure length. Yard is most often used for american football field measurement.
Formula
chains = yards × 0.0454545454545
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 yard equals 0.9144 base units, and 1 chain equals 20.1168 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct yard-to-chain factor of 0.0454545454545.
Simple example
1 yd × 0.04545454545 = 0.0454545455 ch
1 yard = 0.0454545455 chains.
Real-world example
10 yd × 0.04545454545 = 0.4545454545 ch
10 yards = 0.4545454545 chains.
Conversion table
| Yard (yd) | Chain (ch) |
|---|---|
| 1 yd | 0.0454545455 ch |
| 5 yd | 0.2272727273 ch |
| 10 yd | 0.4545454545 ch |
| 21.0975 yd | 0.9589772727 ch |
| 42.195 yd | 1.917954545 ch |
| 100 yd | 4.545454545 ch |
Reverse conversion: Chain to Yard
0.0454545455 ch × 22 = 1.000000001 yd
0.0454545455 chains = 1.000000001 yards.
yards = chains × 22
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Chain to Yard.
Understanding the Yard
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States and United Kingdom (sports fields, fabric, some construction)
Uses of the Yard today
- American football field measurement
- Fabric and textile measurement
- Golf and other sports distances in the US/UK
History of the Yard
The yard has English origins possibly tied to a standard 'gird' or arm's-length measure; it was fixed at exactly 0.9144 meters by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, the same treaty that standardized the foot, inch, mile, and pound.
Historical origin. Yard 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.
Yard — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern yard at exactly 0.9144 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many chains are in 1 yard?
1 yard equals 0.0454545455 chains, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert yard to chain?
Multiply the yard value by 0.04545454545. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert chain back to yard?
Use the reverse factor: 1 chain equals 22 yards. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a yard?
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a chain?
Chain (ch) is a unit of length.
Is the yard to chain conversion exact?
Yes. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. 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 yard still used today?
United States and United Kingdom (sports fields, fabric, some construction)