Length · Unit Converter

Convert Square Thou to Square Link

Convert square thous to square links instantly. 1 square thou = 1.594225e-8 square link — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Link to Square Thou 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 Thou

What is a square thou?

A square thou is an imperial unit of area equal to 6.4516×10⁻¹⁰ m², identical to the square mil. The word 'thou' is short for 'thousandth' (of an inch).

Origin of the square thou

Identical in value to the square mil; 'thou' is the British engineering term, 'mil' is the American term. Both refer to 1/1000 of an inch.

Where it is used

Square thous are used in British and Commonwealth engineering contexts where 'thou' is preferred over 'mil', particularly in mechanical engineering tolerance specifications.

When and where it was developed

Standardized via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Imperial / US Customary

Square Link

What is a square link?

A square link is an imperial unit of area equal to approximately 0.0405 m². It is part of the chain-link surveying system used historically for land measurement.

Origin of the square link

Derived by squaring the link (1/100 of a chain = 7.92 inches). The Gunter's chain was introduced by English mathematician Edmund Gunter in 1620 for land surveying.

Where it is used

Square links appear in historical land surveys and legacy property records, particularly in the US Public Land Survey System (PLSS). Modern surveys use feet or meters instead.

When and where it was developed

Gunter's chain introduced in 1620; standardized via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Square Thou to Square Link conversion formula

The relationship between square thous and square links:

1 thou² = 1.594225e-8 lk²
1 lk² = 6.27264e+7 thou²

To convert square thous to square links, multiply the value in square thous by 1.594225e-8. To reverse, multiply square links by 6.27264e+7.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in square links 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 Link to Square Thou converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert square thous to square links

  1. Write down the value in square thous (thou²).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 1.594225e-8.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in square links (lk²).
  4. To reverse, multiply the square link value by 6.27264e+7.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 thou² to lk²:
1 × 1.594225e-8 = 1.594225e-8 lk²

Example 2 — Convert 100 thou² to lk²:
100 × 1.594225e-8 = 1.594225e-6 lk²

Real-world example — From wavelengths to millimeter-scale objects

A value of one million square thous sounds vast at the atomic scale but converts to a small everyday quantity in square links — useful when relating optical-wavelength specifications to physical mounting hardware.

1000000 thou² × 1.594225e-8 = 0.0159422509 lk²

Real-world example — Sub-micron to millimeter

500,000 square thous converts to a small everyday quantity in square links — useful when relating optical-wavelength specifications to physical mounting hardware.

500000 thou² × 1.594225e-8 = 0.0079711254 lk²

Square Thou to Square Link conversion table

Standard reference values for converting square thous to square links:

Square Thou [thou²]Square Link [lk²]
0.011.594225e-10
0.11.594225e-9
11.594225e-8
23.18845e-8
34.782675e-8
46.3769e-8
57.971125e-8
101.594225e-7
203.18845e-7
304.782675e-7
406.3769e-7
507.971125e-7
1001.594225e-6
5007.971125e-6
10001.594225e-5

Frequently asked questions

How many square links is 1 square thou?
1 square thou equals 1.594225e-8 square link.
How do I convert square thous to square links?
Multiply the value in square thous by 1.594225e-8 to get square links.
How do I convert square links back to square thous?
Multiply the value in square links by 6.27264e+7, or use the Square Link to Square Thou converter.
How many square links is 100 square thous?
100 square thous equals 1.594225e-6 square links, because 100 × 1.594225e-8 = 1.594225e-6.

Convert Square Thou to other area units

Show all Square Thou conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 thou² = 1.594225e-8 lk²) verified against the following authoritative sources:

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