What is a chain in length measurement?

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

What is a fathom used for?

A fathom is a traditional English unit equal to 6 feet, primarily used to measure water depth and lengths of ropes or cables in nautical contexts.

How do I convert chains to fathoms?

To convert chains to fathoms, multiply the number of chains by 11, since 1 chain equals 11 fathoms.

How to Convert Chain [ch] to Fathom [fath] Length Units

Easily convert length measurements from chains to fathoms with this practical online unit converter. Useful for surveying, maritime navigation, and historical research.

Chain [ch]

Fathom [fath]

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Chain [ch] to Fathom [fath] Conversion Table

Chain [ch]	Fathom [fath]

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 Fathom [fath] Conversion Table
Chain [ch]	Fathom [fath]

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What Is This Tool?

This tool converts length values from chains, a traditional surveying unit, into fathoms, a nautical unit for measuring water depth and rope lengths. It is designed to help users translate between these historical units used in surveying and maritime contexts.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the length value in chains you wish to convert
Select 'chain [ch]' as the from-unit and 'fathom [fath]' as the to-unit
Click the convert button to see the equivalent measurement in fathoms
Review the conversion results for your surveying, maritime, or research needs

Key Features

Converts between chain and fathom length units accurately using the traditional conversion rate
Browser-based and easy to use with no installations required
Supports unit translation for cadastral surveying and nautical measurements
Facilitates interpretation of historical property deeds, marine navigation data, and seamanship records

Examples

Convert 2 chains to fathoms to get 22 fathoms
Convert 0.5 chain to fathoms resulting in 5.5 fathoms

Common Use Cases

Translating land surveying measurements into maritime length units
Interpreting historical land and property survey documents for GIS systems
Preparing nautical chart data or anchor line lengths for marine navigation
Researching seamanship-related historical records using traditional units

Tips & Best Practices

Double-check unit selections before conversion to ensure accuracy
Use this tool primarily for historical or context-specific conversions involving chains and fathoms
Be aware that these units are mostly historical and may require contextual interpretation in modern applications
Cross-reference converted lengths when integrating into modern metric or imperial systems

Limitations

Chains and fathoms are largely historical units with limited contemporary use
Conversions may lack precision due to rounding or variations in historical unit definitions
Not intended for modern engineering or navigation systems that use metric or standardized imperial units

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chain in length measurement?: A chain is a traditional surveying unit equal to 66 feet, commonly used historically in land measurement and cadastral surveying.
What is a fathom used for?: A fathom is a traditional English unit equal to 6 feet, primarily used to measure water depth and lengths of ropes or cables in nautical contexts.
How do I convert chains to fathoms?: To convert chains to fathoms, multiply the number of chains by 11, since 1 chain equals 11 fathoms.

Key Terminology

Chain [ch]: A historical surveying unit of length equal to 66 feet, often subdivided into links and used for land measurement.
Fathom [fath]: A traditional nautical unit of length equal to 6 feet, used to measure water depth and lengths of ropes or cables.
Cadastral Surveying: The process of measuring and mapping land parcels for ownership and property boundaries.

Quick Knowledge Check

Which unit is traditionally used in cadastral surveying?

Fathom

Chain

Meter

What does one fathom measure primarily?

Land parcels

Water depth

Railway length

How many fathoms are in one chain?

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