The Chain (Gunter's chain) was fundamental in surveying the American frontier. Measuring 66 feet (4 rods), it's the length of a cricket pitch. Ten square chains make an acre. Modern surveyors still reference chains in legal descriptions, and the unit remains visible in rural road layouts across the US. The Rod (or pole/perch) was historically used in land surveying and agriculture. Measuring exactly 16.5 feet, rods were commonly used to define property boundaries. A standard American football field is 320 rods long (including end zones). This unit still appears in some property deeds and agricultural measurements.
To convert between Chain (ch) and Rod (rd), use the following formulas:
1 Chain (ch) = 4 Rod (rd)
1 Rod (rd) = 0.25 Chain (ch)
1 ch = 1 * 4 rd = 4 rd
5 ch = 5 * 4 rd = 20 rd
10 ch = 10 * 4 rd = 40 rd
20 ch = 20 * 4 rd = 80 rd
50 ch = 50 * 4 rd = 200 rd
100 ch = 100 * 4 rd = 400 rd
| Chain (ch) | Rod (rd) |
|---|---|
| 1 ch | 4 rd |
| 5 ch | 20 rd |
| 10 ch | 40 rd |
| 20 ch | 80 rd |
| 50 ch | 200 rd |
| 100 ch | 400 rd |