Length · Unit Converter

Convert Square Chain to Square Kilometer

Convert square chains to square kilometers instantly. 1 square chain = 0.0004046856 square kilometer — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Kilometer to Square Chain converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Imperial / US Customary

Square Chain

What is a square chain?

A square chain is an imperial unit of area equal to approximately 404.686 m². It equals 1/10 of an acre.

Origin of the square chain

Derived by squaring the chain (66 feet or 22 yards). The chain was defined by Edmund Gunter in 1620 specifically so that 10 square chains equal exactly one acre.

Where it is used

Square chains appear in US Public Land Survey System (PLSS) records and historical English property documents. The 10-to-1 ratio with acres made early survey arithmetic easier.

When and where it was developed

Defined by Edmund Gunter in 1620 specifically for surveying convenience.

Metric / SI

Square Kilometer

What is a square kilometer?

A square kilometer is a metric unit of area equal to 1,000,000 m² (one million square meters), or 100 hectares. It is used for measuring large land areas, regional geography, and country-scale statistics.

Origin of the square kilometer

Derived by squaring the kilometer (1000 m). The kilo- prefix comes from the Greek 'chilioi' (thousand).

Where it is used

Square kilometers express the area of cities, districts, lakes, forests, and entire countries. India's total area is approximately 3,287,263 km². 1 km² equals 100 hectares or about 247.105 acres.

When and where it was developed

Kilometer has been part of the metric system since 1795.

Square Chain to Square Kilometer conversion formula

The relationship between square chains and square kilometers:

1 ch² = 0.0004046856 km²
1 km² = 2471.0538149159 ch²

To convert square chains to square kilometers, multiply the value in square chains by 0.0004046856. To reverse, multiply square kilometers by 2471.0538149159.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in square kilometers updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Square Kilometer to Square Chain converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert square chains to square kilometers

  1. Write down the value in square chains (ch²).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.0004046856.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in square kilometers (km²).
  4. To reverse, multiply the square kilometer value by 2471.0538149159.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 ch² to km²:
1 × 0.0004046856 = 0.0004046856 km²

Example 2 — Convert 100 ch² to km²:
100 × 0.0004046856 = 0.0404685642 km²

Square Chain to Square Kilometer conversion table

Standard reference values for converting square chains to square kilometers:

Square Chain [ch²]Square Kilometer [km²]
0.014.046856e-6
0.14.046856e-5
10.0004046856
20.0008093713
30.0012140569
40.0016187426
50.0020234282
100.0040468564
200.0080937128
300.0121405693
400.0161874257
500.0202342821
1000.0404685642
5000.2023428211
10000.4046856422

Frequently asked questions

How many square kilometers is 1 square chain?
1 square chain equals 0.0004046856 square kilometer.
How do I convert square chains to square kilometers?
Multiply the value in square chains by 0.0004046856 to get square kilometers.
How do I convert square kilometers back to square chains?
Multiply the value in square kilometers by 2471.0538149159, or use the Square Kilometer to Square Chain converter.
How many square kilometers is 100 square chains?
100 square chains equals 0.0404685642 square kilometers, because 100 × 0.0004046856 = 0.0404685642.

Convert Square Chain to other area units

Show all Square Chain conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 ch² = 0.0004046856 km²) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.