Kilometer to Chain Converter
Length · unit-converter
Convert Kilometer to Chain with a fixed input and output unit, step-by-step formula line, and reference tables. All calculations use SI-based definitions (international yard, nautical mile, etc.).
Calculator
From: Kilometer (km)
To: Chain (chain)
About Kilometer
The kilometer is an SI unit equal to 1,000 meters. It is the standard unit for longer distances in most countries that use the metric system.
About Chain
The chain is a surveying unit equal to 66 feet (20.1168 meters) exactly. It appears in land measurement and legacy civil engineering records.
How to convert kilometers to chains
1 kilometer is equal to 49.70969537898672 chain:
1 km = (1000 m ÷ 20.1168 m) chain = 49.70969537898672 chain
Each kilometer is defined as 1000 m and each chain as 20.1168 m, so one km equals 1000 ÷ 20.1168 chain = 49.70969537898672 chain.
Let d(km) be the numeric value of the same length measured in Kilometer (km), and d(chain) the value in Chain (chain). Then:
d(chain) = d(km) × (1000 / 20.1168)
Equivalently, divide by how many km fit into one chain (meters per chain divided by meters per km):
d(chain) = d(km) ÷ 0.0201168
Or: chain = kilometer ÷ 0.0201168
Examples
Example #1: Convert 20 km to chain
20 km = 20 km × (1000/20.1168) chain = 994.19390758 chain
20 km = 20 km ÷ 0.0201168 = 994.19390758 chain
Example #2: Convert 50 km to chain
50 km = 50 km × (1000/20.1168) chain = 2485.48476895 chain
50 km = 50 km ÷ 0.0201168 = 2485.48476895 chain
Summary
To convert Kilometer to Chain, multiply the value in km by the ratio of meters per km divided by meters per chain. Equivalently: value_chain = value_km × (1000 / 20.1168). Numerically, 1 km equals 49.709695378986716 chain.
Relationship context
You are converting between metric (SI) (Kilometers) and US customary / imperial (Chains). Metric units are decimal; imperial units use inches, feet, yards, and miles tied to the international yard definition. Nautical miles are defined in meters (1 nmi = 1,852 m). This tool uses SI-based factors so results stay consistent with modern standards.
Conversion tables
| Kilometer (km) | Chain (chain) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 4.9709695379 |
| 1 | 49.709695379 |
| 2 | 99.419390758 |
| 3 | 149.129086137 |
| 4 | 198.838781516 |
| 5 | 248.548476895 |
| 6 | 298.258172274 |
| 7 | 347.967867653 |
| 8 | 397.677563032 |
| 9 | 447.387258411 |
| Kilometer (km) | Chain (chain) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 497.09695379 |
| 20 | 994.19390758 |
| 30 | 1,491.29086137 |
| 40 | 1,988.38781516 |
| 50 | 2,485.48476895 |
| 60 | 2,982.58172274 |
| 70 | 3,479.67867653 |
| 80 | 3,976.77563032 |
| 90 | 4,473.87258411 |
| 100 | 4,970.9695379 |