How many furlongs is 1 chain?

One chain equals exactly 0.1 furlongs (one-tenth). There are exactly 10 chains in a furlong. This is a defining relationship in the English measurement system.

How do I convert chains to furlongs?

Divide the number of chains by 10. For example, 35 chains = 3.5 furlongs. This is one of the simplest conversions in the imperial system.

Why are there exactly 10 chains in a furlong?

Gunter designed the chain (66 feet) so that exactly 10 chains make one furlong (660 feet) and 10 square chains make one acre. This decimal-like subdivision was remarkably modern for the 1620s.

Chains to Furlongs (ch to fur) Converter

1 ch = 0.1 fur

1 Chain equals 0.1 Furlongs (1 ch = 0.1 fur). Convert Chains to Furlongs with formula, table, and examples.

One chain equals exactly 0.1 furlongs, or one-tenth of a furlong. Conversely, one furlong contains exactly 10 chains. This is the most fundamental relationship in the English land measurement system: chain, furlong, and acre were all designed to work together as a coherent surveying system.

How to Convert Chains to Furlongs

fur = ch ÷ 10

Divide the value in Chains by 10

Take your value in Chains
Divide by 10
Read the result in Furlongs

Common Chains to Furlongs Conversions

Chains (ch)	Furlongs (fur)	Status
0.5 ch	0.05 fur
1 ch	0.1 fur
2 ch	0.2 fur
5 ch	0.5 fur
10 ch	1 fur
20 ch	2 fur
40 ch	4 fur
80 ch	8 fur
100 ch	10 fur
200 ch	20 fur
500 ch	50 fur
1,000 ch	100 fur

Good to Know About Chains to Furlongs Conversion

The 10:1 chain-to-furlong ratio was one of the earliest decimal subdivisions in the English measurement system, predating metrication by nearly two centuries. Gunter was ahead of his time in recognizing the convenience of base-10 relationships.

Chains to Furlongs: What You Need to Know

Ten chains make one furlong. Eight furlongs make one mile. So 80 chains make one mile. One chain times one furlong (10 chains x 1 chain) equals exactly one acre. This elegant decimal relationship within the otherwise non-decimal imperial system is why Gunter chose 66 feet for his chain.

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 Furlong? fur

Exactly 660 feet or one-eighth of a mile (201.168 m). Originally the length of a plowed furrow. Still used in horse racing.

Imperial horse racing historical

Learn more about Furlong →

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

Chains to Furlongs FAQ

One chain equals exactly 0.1 furlongs (one-tenth). There are exactly 10 chains in a furlong. This is a defining relationship in the English measurement system.
Divide the number of chains by 10. For example, 35 chains = 3.5 furlongs. This is one of the simplest conversions in the imperial system.
Gunter designed the chain (66 feet) so that exactly 10 chains make one furlong (660 feet) and 10 square chains make one acre. This decimal-like subdivision was remarkably modern for the 1620s.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Chains to Furlongs

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

Unlikely. Gunter designed his chain for farm surveying in the 1620s. That horse racing adopted the furlong (10 chains) as its distance unit was a happy accident of English measurement tradition, not intentional sports planning.