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Furlongs to Chains (fur to ch) Converter

1 fur = 10 ch

1 Furlong equals 10 Chains (1 fur = 10 ch). Convert Furlongs to Chains with formula, table, and examples.

One furlong equals exactly 10 chains. This is the defining relationship between furlongs and chains in the English land measurement system. Edmund Gunter deliberately designed his chain so that 10 chains would make one furlong, creating a rare decimal relationship within the imperial system.

How to Convert Furlongs to Chains

ch = fur × 10
Multiply the value in Furlongs by 10
  1. Take your value in Furlongs
  2. Multiply by 10
  3. Read the result in Chains

Common Furlongs to Chains Conversions

Furlongs (fur) Chains (ch) Status
0.1 fur 1 ch
0.25 fur 2.5 ch
0.5 fur 5 ch
1 fur 10 ch
2 fur 20 ch
4 fur 40 ch
5 fur 50 ch
8 fur 80 ch
10 fur 100 ch
20 fur 200 ch
50 fur 500 ch
100 fur 1,000 ch
500 fur 5,000 ch

Good to Know About Furlongs to Chains Conversion

The 10:1 furlong-to-chain ratio was one of the earliest base-10 relationships in English measurement. Gunter's decimal insight in the 1620s predated the French metric system by nearly 170 years.

Furlongs to Chains: What You Need to Know

Ten chains make one furlong. Eight furlongs make one mile. So one mile is 80 chains. The 10:1 ratio was designed so that 1 chain x 1 furlong = 1 acre (43,560 sq ft). This elegant decimal subdivision within the otherwise non-decimal imperial system was remarkably forward-thinking for the 1620s.

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 →

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 →

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

Furlongs to Chains FAQ

  • One furlong contains exactly 10 chains. This is the defining relationship in the English land measurement system.

  • Multiply the furlong value by 10. For example, 3.5 furlongs = 35 chains. The conversion is exact.

  • Gunter chose the chain length (66 feet) so that exactly 10 chains equal one furlong (660 feet). This created a decimal-like system within the imperial framework and made acre calculations simple: 1 chain x 1 furlong = 1 acre.

Non-Frequently Asked Questions About Furlongs to Chains

Questions nobody should ask - but someone did.

  • Edmund Gunter designed it that way in 1620. Ten chains (660 feet) = 1 furlong. One chain x one furlong = 1 acre. The furlong-chain-acre system is remarkably elegant decimal math hiding inside the imperial system. Gunter was a secret metrician.

  • Yes, exactly. One chain = one cricket pitch (22 yards). One furlong = 10 chains = 10 cricket pitches. If you lined up 10 cricket matches end-to-end, you would have one furlong. The English invented a sport that is literally measured in chain units.

  • The furlong (from Old English 'furrow-long') predates organized cricket by centuries. Cricket adopted the chain as its pitch length, and the furlong existed as 10 chains. So the furlong came first, the chain came second, and cricket adopted the chain third.

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Need the reverse? Use our Chains to Furlongs converter. See all Length & Distance converters.