What is a chain (US survey) unit?

A chain (US survey) is a traditional length unit equal to 66 US survey feet and subdivided into 100 links, historically used in US land surveying.

How many poles are in one chain (US survey)?

One chain (US survey) equals approximately 4.000008 poles.

Why convert from chain (US survey) to pole?

Conversion helps interpret legacy US survey measurements in terms of the traditional English pole unit common in historical British and colonial land records.

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

Learn how to convert length measurements from the US survey chain (ch) to the traditional English unit pole, useful for historical land surveying and cadastral records.

Chain (US survey) [ch]

Pole

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

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

Chain (US survey) [ch]	Pole

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 Pole Conversion Table
Chain (US survey) [ch]	Pole

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What Is This Tool?

This converter helps translate measurements from the US survey chain (ch), a unit historically used in U.S. land surveying, into poles, a traditional English unit encountered in British and colonial land descriptions.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value measured in chain (US survey) [ch]
Select chain (US survey) [ch] as the input unit
Choose pole as the output unit
Click convert to see the equivalent measurement in poles

Key Features

Converts length from chain (US survey) [ch] to pole using a defined conversion rate
Supports interpreting legacy surveying measurements for cadastral and mapping purposes
Browser-based and easy to use for historical and modern land measurement contexts
Provides clear formula and examples for quick reference

Examples

5 chains (US survey) [ch] equal 20.00004 poles
0.5 chain (US survey) [ch] equals 2.000004 poles

Common Use Cases

Interpreting distances in historical U.S. land deeds and cadastral surveys
Converting legacy survey measurements to traditional English units for mapping
Understanding boundary and field measurements in historic British colonial documents

Tips & Best Practices

Verify the original measurement units before converting to ensure accuracy
Consider historical context, as non-standard units may have been used in some records
Use this tool to assist in bridging US and British surveying data for GIS and land management

Limitations

Rounding differences can occur due to variations between US survey feet and imperial measurements
The pole unit is rarely used in modern surveying, potentially complicating interpretation
Discrepancies may arise if historic chains or poles deviate from standard lengths

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chain (US survey) unit?: A chain (US survey) is a traditional length unit equal to 66 US survey feet and subdivided into 100 links, historically used in US land surveying.
How many poles are in one chain (US survey)?: One chain (US survey) equals approximately 4.000008 poles.
Why convert from chain (US survey) to pole?: Conversion helps interpret legacy US survey measurements in terms of the traditional English pole unit common in historical British and colonial land records.

Key Terminology

Chain (US survey): A unit of length equal to 66 US survey feet used traditionally for land surveying in the United States.
Pole: A traditional English unit of length equal to 16.5 feet, also known as rod or perch, used in surveying and land measurement.
Cadastral survey: A survey used to define property boundaries and land ownership in legal and historical contexts.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is the approximate equivalence of 1 US survey chain in poles?

16.5 poles

4.000008 poles

66 poles

Which unit is subdivided into 100 links?

Pole

Chain (US survey)

Foot

What is a common use for converting chains to poles?

Modern construction measurements

Interpreting historical land surveys

Measuring building heights

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