What is the chain unit used for?

Chain is a traditional surveying length unit mostly used historically for land measurement and cadastral surveying.

What does the ell measure?

Ell is a historic measurement mainly used for textiles and tailoring, representing lengths based on the arm or cloth merchant’s measure.

Why does the ell length vary?

The ell varies regionally; for example, the English ell is about 45 inches, while the Scottish ell is roughly 37 inches.

How to Convert from Chain [ch] to Ell?

Learn how to convert length measurements from chain to ell, two historical units used in surveying and textile industries. Understand the key features, usage, and limitations of this conversion tool.

Chain [ch]

Ell

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Chain [ch] to Ell Conversion Table

Chain [ch]	Ell

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

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Interval

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Chain [ch] to Ell Conversion Table
Chain [ch]	Ell

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What Is This Tool?

This unit converter helps you translate measurements from chains, a traditional surveying length, into ells, a historical cloth-measuring unit. It is designed for interpreting older land records and textile or tailoring measurements.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value in chains that you want to convert
Select the unit 'chain [ch]' as the input unit
Choose 'ell' as the output unit
Click convert to get the equivalent length in ells

Key Features

Converts chain units (66 feet surveying units) into ells (historical textile length units)
Supports historical measurement translation between surveying and tailoring domains
Useful for interpreting legacy land deeds, textile inventories, and museum records

Examples

2 Chains equal 35.2 Ell (2 × 17.6 = 35.2)
0.5 Chain equals 8.8 Ell (0.5 × 17.6 = 8.8)

Common Use Cases

Interpreting and converting historical surveying measurements into textile and garment lengths
Translating old property and land registry documents into fabric measurement terms
Supporting museum conservation and historical costume reconstruction projects

Tips & Best Practices

Consider the regional variation in ell length when interpreting results
Use contextual knowledge for historical records to improve conversion accuracy
Verify conversions when working with mixed unit sources like surveying and textiles

Limitations

Ell length varies by region, affecting conversion accuracy
Chains relate to surveying while ells concern textiles, limiting modern practical overlap
Historical records may have inconsistencies requiring expert interpretation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the chain unit used for?: Chain is a traditional surveying length unit mostly used historically for land measurement and cadastral surveying.
What does the ell measure?: Ell is a historic measurement mainly used for textiles and tailoring, representing lengths based on the arm or cloth merchant’s measure.
Why does the ell length vary?: The ell varies regionally; for example, the English ell is about 45 inches, while the Scottish ell is roughly 37 inches.

Key Terminology

Chain: A surveying unit of length equal to 66 feet, commonly used in land measurement and cadastral surveys.
Ell: A historical unit of textile length varying by region, used to measure cloth and tailoring dimensions.
Cadastral Surveying: The process of measuring and mapping land parcels for property and legal records.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is the length of one chain in feet?

66 feet

45 feet

37 feet

What is one chain equivalent to in ells?

17.6 Ell

10 Ell

4 Ell

Which unit was primarily used for measuring textiles?

Ell

Chain

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