What is a chain (US survey)?

The US survey chain, abbreviated as ch, is a traditional length unit equal to 66 US survey feet, historically used in American land surveys and subdivided into 100 links.

What is an arpent used for?

An arpent is a historical French unit of length once used mainly for land measurement and cadastral purposes in France and its colonies, such as Quebec and Louisiana.

Why do I need to convert chain to arpent?

Converting chain to arpent helps interpret and translate historical land measurements between U.S. and French colonial systems, aiding accurate mapping and legal land description.

How to Convert from Chain (US survey) [ch] to Arpent

Easily convert lengths from the US survey chain unit to the historical French arpent measurement with our straightforward online converter, ideal for land surveying and historical research.

Chain (US survey) [ch]

Arpent

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

Chain (US survey) [ch] to Arpent Conversion Table

Chain (US survey) [ch]	Arpent

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.

Chain (US survey) [ch] to Arpent Conversion Table
Chain (US survey) [ch]	Arpent

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This online unit converter enables you to translate measurements from the US survey chain (ch), a traditional length unit used in American land surveying, into the arpent, a historical French unit of length used primarily for land measurement in regions influenced by French colonial systems.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in chain (US survey) units you wish to convert.
Select chain (US survey) as the original unit and arpent as the target unit.
Click the convert button to obtain the equivalent measurement in arpent.
Use the results to support land surveying, historical mapping, or legal documentation review.

Key Features

Converts lengths from chain (US survey) to arpent with an established conversion rate.
Supports understanding and interpreting historical land measurements and cadastral data.
Browser-based tool requiring no installation, accessible anytime for quick conversions.
Includes examples illustrating the conversion for practical reference.

Examples

10 chain (US survey) equals approximately 3.4375 arpent.
5 chain (US survey) equals approximately 1.7188 arpent.

Common Use Cases

Translating historical U.S. land survey distances recorded in chains to arpent used in French colonial land records.
Interpreting parcel dimensions and frontage lengths on cadastral maps in Quebec and Louisiana.
Converting legacy measurements for use in modern mapping, GIS applications, and legal land descriptions.
Preserving and understanding the cadastral history of regions influenced by both U.S. and French surveying traditions.

Tips & Best Practices

Verify the regional and temporal context of the arpent since its length varied historically and geographically.
Use this converter as a reference point, and consult historical records or experts when precise land legalities are involved.
Combine conversions with modern units (feet, metres) for comprehensive land measurement analysis.

Limitations

The arpent’s length historically varied by region and time period, affecting conversion accuracy.
Users should consider local standards or additional historical context when interpreting final results.
This tool uses a fixed conversion rate that reflects a general equivalence but may not suit all historical documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chain (US survey)?: The US survey chain, abbreviated as ch, is a traditional length unit equal to 66 US survey feet, historically used in American land surveys and subdivided into 100 links.
What is an arpent used for?: An arpent is a historical French unit of length once used mainly for land measurement and cadastral purposes in France and its colonies, such as Quebec and Louisiana.
Why do I need to convert chain to arpent?: Converting chain to arpent helps interpret and translate historical land measurements between U.S. and French colonial systems, aiding accurate mapping and legal land description.

Key Terminology

Chain (US survey): A traditional length unit equal to 66 US survey feet, subdivided into 100 links, used primarily in historical U.S. land surveying.
Arpent: A historical French unit of length used mainly for measuring land, with its value varying by region and period.
Cadastral: Related to land surveying and the recording of property boundaries and ownership.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is the US survey chain primarily used for?

Measuring nautical distances

Land surveying and cadastral work

Measuring time intervals

In which regions was the arpent historically used?

Japan and Korea

France and French colonial areas like Quebec and Louisiana

Australia and New Zealand

Why might the chain to arpent conversion vary in accuracy?

The arpent's length varied by region and historical period

Chain units change daily

The formula is not defined

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