How many meters is 1 chain?

One chain equals exactly 20.1168 meters. This derives from 1 chain = 66 feet, and 1 foot = 0.3048 m, so 66 x 0.3048 = 20.1168 m.

How do I convert chains to meters?

Multiply the number of chains by 20.1168. For example, 15 chains = 15 x 20.1168 = 301.752 meters. For rough estimation, multiply chains by 20.

When is this conversion needed?

When interpreting historical property surveys for modern land registries, GIS mapping, construction planning, or legal boundary disputes. Many English-speaking countries still have property records in chains that need metric conversion.

Chains to Meters (ch to m) Converter

1 ch = 20.1168 m

1 Chain equals 20.1168 Meters (1 ch = 20.1168 m). Convert Chains to Meters with formula, table, and examples.

One chain equals exactly 20.1168 meters. This is the most important chain-to-metric conversion, used when translating historical land surveys into the SI standard unit of length. Property descriptions, old maps, and survey records in chains must be converted to meters for modern cadastral and GIS applications.

How to Convert Chains to Meters

m = ch × 20.1168

Multiply the value in Chains by 20.1168

Take your value in Chains
Multiply by 20.1168
Read the result in Meters

Common Chains to Meters Conversions

Chains (ch)	Meters (m)	Status
0.1 ch	2.0117 m
0.25 ch	5.0292 m
0.5 ch	10.0584 m
1 ch	20.1168 m
2 ch	40.2336 m
5 ch	100.584 m
10 ch	201.168 m
20 ch	402.336 m
40 ch	804.672 m
80 ch	1,609.344 m
100 ch	2,011.68 m
200 ch	4,023.36 m
500 ch	10,058.4 m
1,000 ch	20,116.8 m

Good to Know About Chains to Meters Conversion

This is the one chain conversion that has real ongoing practical importance. Land registries in countries that metricated from the British system routinely convert chains to meters when processing old deeds. It is not just a mathematical curiosity but a legal necessity.

Chains to Meters: What You Need to Know

A cricket pitch is exactly 1 chain (20.1168 m). One furlong (10 chains) is 201.168 m. One mile (80 chains) is 1,609.344 m. When countries like Australia, Canada, and India transitioned to metric, millions of chain-based property descriptions had to be converted to meters. This conversion remains important for interpreting pre-metric land records.

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 Meter? m

The base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). Used worldwide as the standard measure of distance.

Metric construction athletics navigation

Learn more about Meter →

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

Chains to Meters FAQ

One chain equals exactly 20.1168 meters. This derives from 1 chain = 66 feet, and 1 foot = 0.3048 m, so 66 x 0.3048 = 20.1168 m.
Multiply the number of chains by 20.1168. For example, 15 chains = 15 x 20.1168 = 301.752 meters. For rough estimation, multiply chains by 20.
When interpreting historical property surveys for modern land registries, GIS mapping, construction planning, or legal boundary disputes. Many English-speaking countries still have property records in chains that need metric conversion.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Chains to Meters

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

A chain is 20.1168 meters. So yes, about 20 meters. But that extra 0.1168 meters (11.7 cm) matters in land surveying. Over 80 chains (1 mile), the difference adds up to 9.3 meters. Close enough to lose a lawsuit over.
A chain (20.12 m) is almost exactly the length of one 20-meter sprint mark. Usain Bolt covers a chain in about 1.9 seconds. The fastest surveyor in history probably needed about 15 seconds to measure one. Different types of athletes.
An Olympic pool is 50 meters. A chain is 20.12 meters. So 2.5 chains fit across a pool. Your chain would reach from one end to about the 20-meter mark. The lifeguard would probably ask you to stop.