# Nautical Miles to Chains (nmi to ch)

Source: https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/nautical-miles-to-chains/

**1 nmi = 92.062355841883 ch**

One nautical mile equals approximately 92.06 chains. A chain (20.1168 m) is about 1/92 of a nautical mile. The NM measures sea distances; the chain measures land parcels. Both serve navigation, but in different environments.

## Formula

Convert Nautical Miles to Chains

## Conversion Table

| Nautical Miles (nmi) | Chains (ch) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 nmi | 9.2062355841883 ch |
| 0.5 nmi | 46.031177920942 ch |
| 1 nmi | 92.062355841883 ch |
| 5 nmi | 460.31177920942 ch |
| 10 nmi | 920.62355841883 ch |
| 50 nmi | 4603.1177920942 ch |
| 100 nmi | 9206.2355841883 ch |
| 500 nmi | 46031.177920942 ch |
| 1000 nmi | 92062.355841883 ch |
| 3000 nmi | 276187.06752565 ch |
| 10000 nmi | 920623.55841883 ch |

## Units

### Nautical Mile (nmi)

Exactly 1852 meters by international agreement. Based on one minute of arc of latitude at the Earth's surface. The standard unit for maritime and air navigation.

### 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.

## Background

A nautical mile is about 92 chains. Coastal property measured in chains meets the sea measured in nautical miles at the shoreline. The boundary between land and sea is also the boundary between chains and NM.

## Good to Know

The chain and nautical mile meet at the coast: land surveys in chains end where nautical charts in NM begin. The mean high water line is the measurement border. Every coastal property exists at the boundary between two measurement systems, two legal frameworks, and two worlds.

## FAQ

### How many chains are in 1 nautical mile?

One nautical mile contains approximately 92.06 chains.

### How many nautical miles is 1 chain?

One chain equals approximately 0.01086 NM.

### When is this conversion used?

In coastal property surveys where land boundaries (chains) meet maritime charts (NM).

## Non-Frequently Asked Questions

### How many cricket pitches span 1 nautical mile?

A cricket pitch is 1 chain. 1 NM = about 92 chains = 92 cricket pitches. If cricket were played on the ocean, a nautical mile would be 92 pitches. Maritime cricket would be impractical but scenic.

### Could you survey the ocean in chains?

Theoretically, but you would need waterproof chain. A transatlantic survey (3,000 NM = about 276,000 chains) would require 276,000 measurements. At 1 measurement per minute, that is 192 days of non-stop chain-laying at sea. Surveying the ocean is not recommended.

### Where do chains end and nautical miles begin?

At the mean high water line. Below it: nautical charts in NM. Above it: land surveys in chains (or meters). This legal boundary determines which measurement system governs your property. If your land extends below the tide line, you own both chains and nautical miles.

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## See Also

- [Chains to Nautical Miles](https://www.unitconvertercalculator.com/length/chains-to-nautical-miles/)