Convert handbreadth to chain (US survey) Online | Free Length Converter

Handbreadth

A handbreadth is a traditional unit of length based on the width of a human hand, typically measured from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended. It was commonly used in ancient and medieval times for everyday measurements.

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  The handbreadth is generally about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters), though the exact length could vary by culture and era.

  
  
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  It served as a practical, easy-to-use measure in tailoring, construction, and daily life before standardized units were established.

  
  
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  The handbreadth is one of several body-based units, like the span and palm, reflecting how humans used their own bodies for measuring.

  
  

Summary:

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  About 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)

  
  
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  Based on the width of an extended hand

  
  
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  Used historically in various cultures

  
  
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  Practical for informal, everyday measurement

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:

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  1 US survey chain = 66 US survey feet

  
  
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  1 US survey chain ≈ 20.11684 meters

  
  
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  10 US survey chains = 1 furlong

  
  
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  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.