What is a township in land surveying?

A township in the U.S. Public Land Survey System is a cadastral area unit defined as a square measuring six miles on each side, totaling 36 square miles.

How many square chains equal one township?

One township is equal to 230,400 square chains.

Why convert townships to square chains?

Converting townships to square chains helps interpret detailed land measurements in historical imperial units for cadastral surveying and legal purposes.

How to Convert from Township to Square chain [ch^2]

Easily convert area measurements from township units used in U.S. land surveying to square chains, a traditional imperial area unit.

Township

Square chain [ch^2]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Township to Square chain [ch^2] Conversion Table

Township	Square chain [ch^2]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Township to Square chain [ch^2] Conversion Table
Township	Square chain [ch^2]

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What Is This Tool?

This converter transforms area values from townships, a U.S. Public Land Survey System unit, into square chains, an imperial area measurement. It helps users interpret and work with land descriptions and cadastral data.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the area value in townships that you want to convert
Select 'township' as the original unit and 'square chain [ch^2]' as the target unit
Click convert to see the equivalent area in square chains

Key Features

Converts townships, representing 36 square miles, into square chains accurately according to established rates
Supports land measurement applications by linking large-scale PLSS units to smaller historical imperial units
Browser-based and easy to use without requiring special software

Examples

Converting 2 townships results in 460,800 square chains
Converting 0.5 township results in 115,200 square chains

Common Use Cases

Legal land descriptions and property deeds referencing townships
Interpreting older land surveys and cadastral maps using imperial units
Rural planning and land administration within U.S. regions using PLSS

Tips & Best Practices

Verify that your land area references correspond to U.S. Public Land Survey System units before converting
Use this tool to clarify historical land records that incorporate chains and townships
Cross-check converted values when preparing legal or planning documents

Limitations

This conversion applies specifically within U.S. PLSS contexts and may not be valid for other systems
Units originate from historic surveying methods that might not reflect current precise ground measurements
Outside of contexts using imperial land units, this tool’s relevance is limited

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a township in land surveying?: A township in the U.S. Public Land Survey System is a cadastral area unit defined as a square measuring six miles on each side, totaling 36 square miles.
How many square chains equal one township?: One township is equal to 230,400 square chains.
Why convert townships to square chains?: Converting townships to square chains helps interpret detailed land measurements in historical imperial units for cadastral surveying and legal purposes.

Key Terminology

Township: A cadastral unit used in U.S. land surveying equal to a 6-mile by 6-mile square, totaling 36 square miles.
Square chain [ch^2]: An imperial area unit defined as the area of a square with sides one chain (66 feet), equivalent to 4,356 square feet or one-tenth of an acre.
Public Land Survey System (PLSS): A U.S. rectangular survey system that divides land into townships and sections for legal and cadastral purposes.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is the area of one township?

1 square mile

36 square miles

66 square miles

How many square chains make up one township?

230,400

115,200

Which unit is smaller in area?

Township

Square chain

Both are the same

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