Length · Unit Converter

Convert Square Chain to Square Mile

Convert square chains to square miles instantly. 1 square chain = 0.00015625 square mile — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Mile 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.

Imperial / US Customary

Square Mile

What is a square mile?

A square mile is an imperial unit of area equal to exactly 2,589,988.110336 m². It is used for measuring large land areas in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Origin of the square mile

Derived by squaring the statute mile (5,280 feet). The mile was standardized via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Where it is used

Square miles are used for US and UK regional geography (county areas, lake sizes, large parks), national statistics, and military range descriptions. 1 mi² = 640 acres = 2.589988 km².

When and where it was developed

Mile dates to Roman antiquity; modern exact value standardized in 1959.

Square Chain to Square Mile conversion formula

The relationship between square chains and square miles:

1 ch² = 0.00015625 mi²
1 mi² = 6400.0000006326 ch²

To convert square chains to square miles, multiply the value in square chains by 0.00015625. To reverse, multiply square miles by 6400.0000006326.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in square miles 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 Mile to Square Chain converter for the reverse direction.

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

  1. Write down the value in square chains (ch²).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.00015625.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in square miles (mi²).
  4. To reverse, multiply the square mile value by 6400.0000006326.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 ch² to mi²:
1 × 0.00015625 = 0.00015625 mi²

Example 2 — Convert 100 ch² to mi²:
100 × 0.00015625 = 0.015625 mi²

Square Chain to Square Mile conversion table

Standard reference values for converting square chains to square miles:

Square Chain [ch²]Square Mile [mi²]
0.011.5625e-6
0.11.5625e-5
10.00015625
20.0003125
30.00046875
40.000625
50.00078125
100.0015625
200.003125
300.0046875
400.00625
500.0078125
1000.015625
5000.078125
10000.15625

Frequently asked questions

How many square miles is 1 square chain?
1 square chain equals 0.00015625 square mile.
How do I convert square chains to square miles?
Multiply the value in square chains by 0.00015625 to get square miles.
How do I convert square miles back to square chains?
Multiply the value in square miles by 6400.0000006326, or use the Square Mile to Square Chain converter.
How many square miles is 100 square chains?
100 square chains equals 0.015625 square miles, because 100 × 0.00015625 = 0.015625.

Convert Square Chain to other area units

Show all Square Chain conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 ch² = 0.00015625 mi²) verified against the following authoritative sources:

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