How many decimeters are in 1 chain?

One chain equals exactly 201.168 decimeters (20.1168 meters). Since 1 meter = 10 decimeters, multiply 20.1168 by 10.

How do I convert chains to decimeters?

Multiply the number of chains by 201.168. For example, 4 chains = 4 x 201.168 = 804.672 decimeters (80.47 meters).

When would I use decimeters for chains?

Almost never. Decimeters are mainly used for volume (1 dm^3 = 1 liter). For land surveying conversions, meters or feet are more practical than decimeters.

Chains to Decimeters (ch to dm) Converter

1 ch = 201.168 dm

1 Chain equals 201.168 Decimeters (1 ch = 201.168 dm). Convert Chains to Decimeters with formula, table, and examples.

One chain equals exactly 201.168 decimeters. The chain (66 feet / 20.1168 m) converts to a clean decimal in decimeters. While decimeters are rarely used for distance measurement, this conversion demonstrates how the chain relates to metric sub-units of the meter.

How to Convert Chains to Decimeters

dm = ch × 201.168

Multiply the value in Chains by 201.168

Take your value in Chains
Multiply by 201.168
Read the result in Decimeters

Common Chains to Decimeters Conversions

Chains (ch)	Decimeters (dm)	Status
0.01 ch	2.0117 dm
0.05 ch	10.0584 dm
0.1 ch	20.1168 dm
0.25 ch	50.292 dm
0.5 ch	100.584 dm
1 ch	201.168 dm
2 ch	402.336 dm
5 ch	1,005.84 dm
10 ch	2,011.68 dm
20 ch	4,023.36 dm
40 ch	8,046.72 dm
80 ch	16,093.44 dm
100 ch	20,116.8 dm
500 ch	100,584 dm

Good to Know About Chains to Decimeters Conversion

The decimeter is the overlooked metric unit, rarely used for distances but essential through its cube (the liter). The chain is the overlooked imperial unit, once essential for land surveying but now largely historical. Two forgotten units meeting in one conversion.

Chains to Decimeters: What You Need to Know

A cricket pitch (1 chain) is 201.168 decimeters. A furlong (10 chains) is 2,011.68 decimeters. The decimeter (10 cm) is mainly used in volume calculations (1 dm^3 = 1 liter), so expressing chains in decimeters has limited practical value. Meters or feet are more natural for land distances.

What is a Chain? ch

Exactly 66 feet or 4 rods (20.1168 m). Invented by Edmund Gunter for land surveying. 80 chains make one mile. Still used in US public land surveys.

Imperial land surveying US public land

Learn more about Chain →

What is a Decimeter? dm

One tenth of a meter, or 10 centimeters. Used in some European countries for everyday measurements and in education.

Metric European education everyday measurement

Learn more about Decimeter →

Going the other way? Use our Decimeters to Chains converter.

Chains to Decimeters FAQ

One chain equals exactly 201.168 decimeters (20.1168 meters). Since 1 meter = 10 decimeters, multiply 20.1168 by 10.
Multiply the number of chains by 201.168. For example, 4 chains = 4 x 201.168 = 804.672 decimeters (80.47 meters).
Almost never. Decimeters are mainly used for volume (1 dm^3 = 1 liter). For land surveying conversions, meters or feet are more practical than decimeters.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Chains to Decimeters

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

66 feet IS the nice number. 10 chains = 1 furlong, 80 chains = 1 mile, 10 square chains = 1 acre. The chain was designed for decimal land calculation within the otherwise non-decimal imperial system. Gunter was ahead of his time.