What Is This Tool?
This tool allows you to convert length values from the historic link unit used in surveying to the US survey inch. It is designed to support interpreting and translating old land measurement data recorded in these units.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in link (li) units that you want to convert
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Select the target unit as Inch (US survey) [in]
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Click the convert button to get the corresponding length in US survey inches
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Use the results for interpreting historical survey or land records
Key Features
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Converts link (li) to US survey inch (in) accurately based on defined conversion rate
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Supports historical surveying and cadastral data interpretation
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Browser-based and easy to use for quick conversions
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Includes examples to demonstrate calculation steps
Examples
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5 Link [li] converts to 39.5999208 Inch (US survey) [in]
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10 Link [li] converts to 79.1998416 Inch (US survey) [in]
Common Use Cases
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Surveying using Gunter's chain measurements from historical records
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Interpreting distances in old deeds and cadastral documents
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Reconstructing historic property boundaries and maps
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Processing legacy U.S. geodetic control and cadastral survey data
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Converting older survey data to metric or modern units for engineering
Tips & Best Practices
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Confirm the original unit is the link (li) from historical documents before converting
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Use converted values to assist in historical land record analysis and map restoration
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Note that US survey units differ slightly from international units and plan accordingly
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Combine with metric conversions when integrating with contemporary engineering data
Limitations
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The link is a historic unit rarely used in modern surveying
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US survey inch is a legacy unit gradually replaced by international units
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Conversions may require adjustment for current standards in large-scale surveys
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Slight differences between US survey and international units can accumulate over distances
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a link (li) unit?
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The link is a historic English length unit used in surveying, equal to 1/100 of Gunter's chain, primarily found in 18th–19th century land measurements.
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Why convert from link to US survey inch?
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Conversion helps interpret historic surveying data by translating the old link measurements into the more precise US survey inch unit used in legacy US land records.
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Is the US survey inch still used today?
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The US survey inch is a legacy unit replaced by the international inch and metric units but is still relevant for processing older geodetic and cadastral data.
Key Terminology
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Link (li)
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A historic English surveying unit equal to 1/100 of Gunter's chain, used mainly in 18th–19th century land measurement.
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Inch (US survey) [in]
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A legacy US unit of length exactly defined as 100/3937 metres, equal to 1/12 of the US survey foot, used in historic geodetic and cadastral surveys.
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Gunter's chain
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A measuring device historically used in surveying, with the link as 1/100th of its length.