How many hands are in 1 chain?

One chain equals exactly 198 hands. Since 1 chain = 66 feet = 792 inches, and 1 hand = 4 inches, divide 792 by 4 to get 198.

How do I convert chains to hands?

Multiply the number of chains by 198. For example, 5 chains = 990 hands. Alternatively, convert chains to inches (x 792) and divide by 4.

Is this conversion ever used?

No. Chains measure land; hands measure horses. These are two of the most niche-specific units in the imperial system and have never needed to interact.

Chains to Hands (ch to hh) Converter

1 ch = 198 hh

1 Chain equals 198 Hands (1 ch = 198 hh). Convert Chains to Hands with formula, table, and examples.

One chain equals exactly 198 hands. Since 1 chain = 66 feet, 1 foot = 3 hands (12 inches / 4 inches per hand), we get 66 x 3 = 198 hands. This conversion connects the land surveying chain with the equestrian hand, two of the most domain-specific units in the imperial system.

How to Convert Chains to Hands

hh = ch × 198

Multiply the value in Chains by 198

Take your value in Chains
Multiply by 198
Read the result in Hands

Common Chains to Hands Conversions

Chains (ch)	Hands (hh)	Status
0.01 ch	1.98 hh
0.05 ch	9.9 hh
0.1 ch	19.8 hh
0.25 ch	49.5 hh
0.5 ch	99 hh
1 ch	198 hh
2 ch	396 hh
5 ch	990 hh
10 ch	1,980 hh
20 ch	3,960 hh
40 ch	7,920 hh
80 ch	15,840 hh
100 ch	19,800 hh
500 ch	99,000 hh

Good to Know About Chains to Hands Conversion

The chain and the hand are both extremely domain-specific imperial units: one for land, one for horses. Their coexistence in the imperial system shows how specialized measurement units can become when each trade develops its own conventions.

Chains to Hands: What You Need to Know

A cricket pitch (1 chain = 198 hands) would accommodate a row of about 12 horses standing nose-to-tail (each about 16 hands / 5.3 feet long). While neither surveyors nor equestrians have ever needed this conversion, it demonstrates how imperial units relate through their shared base in feet and inches.

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 Hand? hh

Exactly 4 inches (10.16 cm). The standard unit for measuring the height of horses, measured from the ground to the withers.

Imperial horse height measurement equestrian

Learn more about Hand →

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

Chains to Hands FAQ

One chain equals exactly 198 hands. Since 1 chain = 66 feet = 792 inches, and 1 hand = 4 inches, divide 792 by 4 to get 198.
Multiply the number of chains by 198. For example, 5 chains = 990 hands. Alternatively, convert chains to inches (x 792) and divide by 4.
No. Chains measure land; hands measure horses. These are two of the most niche-specific units in the imperial system and have never needed to interact.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Chains to Hands

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

A horse is roughly 2.4 m (about 8 feet) nose-to-tail. A chain is 20.12 m. So about 8.4 horses fit in one chain. A cricket pitch (1 chain) could host a small horse queue.