Chain (US Survey)
The US survey chain is a unit of length used historically in land surveying in the United States. It is defined as exactly 66 US survey feet, which is slightly longer than the international foot. Since one US survey foot equals about 0.3048006096 meters, the US survey chain is approximately 20.11684 meters long.
Like the standard chain, it is divided into 100 links, each measuring 0.66 US survey feet. The US survey chain was widely used in the Public Land Survey System to measure land parcels and boundaries.
Key facts:
1 US survey chain = 66 US survey feet
1 US survey chain ≈ 20.11684 meters
10 US survey chains = 1 furlong
80 US survey chains = 1 US survey mile
Though the US survey foot and chain are being phased out in favor of international units, the US survey chain still appears in historical land records and some legal contexts.
the Reed as a Unit of Measurement
The reed is an ancient unit of length that has historical significance in various cultures, especially in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Typically, one reed is equal to 3 cubits, which translates to approximately 1.5 meters or 5 feet in modern measurements. The reed was often used in surveying land, measuring building materials, or determining distances in early architectural and agricultural planning. In ancient Babylon, the reed was part of a well-organized system of measurements that helped support large-scale construction and irrigation projects. Similarly, in Biblical texts, the reed is mentioned as a standard tool for measuring sacred structures like temples. Despite its historical importance, the reed has fallen out of use in the modern metric and imperial systems. However, it remains a fascinating example of how early civilizations developed practical ways to standardize measurement for daily and ceremonial life. Understanding such units gives us insight into the technological and social sophistication of ancient societies. Although obsolete today, the reed is a reminder of humanity’s long-standing pursuit of order and precision in the physical world.
No conversions available for length.