Convert reed to chain Online | Free Length Converter

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.

Chain

A chain is a unit of length traditionally used in land surveying. The most common version is the Gunter’s chain, which equals 66 feet or 22 yards, approximately 20.1168 meters.

The chain was introduced by English clergyman Edmund Gunter in the 17th century to simplify land measurement. One chain consists of 100 links, each 0.66 feet long. It became a standard unit in British and American land surveying and was instrumental in defining land areas, especially in the U.S. Public Land Survey System.

Key Conversions:

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  1 chain = 66 feet

  
  
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  1 chain = 22 yards

  
  
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  1 chain ≈ 20.1168 meters

  
  
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  10 chains = 1 furlong

  
  
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  80 chains = 1 mile

  
  

Though now largely replaced by metric units and modern surveying tools, the chain still appears in older land deeds, maps, and rural property descriptions.