What is a chain used for?

A chain is a traditional surveying unit of length equal to 66 feet, commonly used historically for land measurement and cadastral surveys.

Why convert chains to astronomical units?

This conversion helps express terrestrial surveying data in a unit scale suitable for astronomical contexts such as planetary distances and space mission planning.

Is the astronomical unit fixed in length?

Yes, the astronomical unit is defined exactly as 149,597,870,700 metres, representing a standard measure for distances in the Solar System.

How to Convert from Chain [ch] to Astronomical Unit [AU, UA]

Learn how to convert length measurements from chain, a traditional surveying unit, to astronomical units used in space and planetary science via our easy-to-use online converter tool.

Chain [ch]

Astronomical unit [AU, UA]

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

Chain [ch] to Astronomical unit [AU, UA] Conversion Table

Chain [ch]	Astronomical unit [AU, UA]

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 [ch] to Astronomical unit [AU, UA] Conversion Table
Chain [ch]	Astronomical unit [AU, UA]

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter transforms length values from chain, a historical land measurement unit, into astronomical units (AU), a scale used primarily in astronomy and space engineering to express vast distances within the Solar System.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the numerical value in chains you wish to convert.
Select 'chain [ch]' as the input unit and 'astronomical unit [AU, UA]' as the output unit if not preselected.
Click the convert button to obtain the equivalent distance in astronomical units.

Key Features

Converts chain units, traditionally used in land surveying, to astronomical units for large-scale distance expression.
Provides a precise conversion based on the fixed ratio between chain and astronomical unit.
Browser-based and straightforward tool requiring no installation.
Ideal for integrating terrestrial surveying data with astronomical and space mission planning measurements.

Examples

Converting 10 chains results in approximately 1.3447250222934e-9 AU.
Converting 100 chains gives about 1.3447250222934e-8 AU.

Common Use Cases

Translating traditional land measurement units into astronomical units for space mission contexts.
Interpreting historical survey records and comparing them with celestial distance scales.
Supporting planetary science by linking terrestrial units to orbital distances within the Solar System.

Tips & Best Practices

Ensure correct unit selection before converting to avoid errors.
Use this conversion for scientific, engineering, or historical data comparison where linking different scales is necessary.
Be aware of the very small decimal results when converting small chain values to astronomical units.

Limitations

Converting from chain to astronomical unit yields extremely small decimal values due to scale differences, limiting practical use in everyday measurements.
Rounding errors can occur when representing very small values in astronomical units, affecting precision for typical surveying applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chain used for?: A chain is a traditional surveying unit of length equal to 66 feet, commonly used historically for land measurement and cadastral surveys.
Why convert chains to astronomical units?: This conversion helps express terrestrial surveying data in a unit scale suitable for astronomical contexts such as planetary distances and space mission planning.
Is the astronomical unit fixed in length?: Yes, the astronomical unit is defined exactly as 149,597,870,700 metres, representing a standard measure for distances in the Solar System.

Key Terminology

Chain: A historical surveying length unit equal to 66 feet, typically used for land measurement and divided into 100 links.
Astronomical Unit (AU, UA): A unit of length defined as exactly 149,597,870,700 metres, used to express distances within the Solar System.
Cadastral Surveying: The process of surveying land to define ownership boundaries and property parcels.

Quick Knowledge Check

What traditional unit of length equals 66 feet?

Rod

Chain

Link

What does the astronomical unit primarily measure?

Land parcels

Distances within the Solar System

Railway lengths

Why might the chain to AU conversion result in very small numbers?

Because the units are similar in scale

Because astronomical units measure extremely large distances

Due to rounding errors

Share Us

Similar Calculators

Online Surface Current Density Units Converter Online Heat Flux Density Units Converter Online Heat Density Units Converter Online Weight and Mass Units Converter Online Flow Molar Units Converter