Convert Chain to Ell
Convert chains to ells instantly. 1 chain = 17.6 ell — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Ell to Chain converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Chain
A chain is an Imperial unit of length equal to 66 feet (20.1168 m), or exactly 4 rods or 100 links. It is the central unit in the Gunter chain-based land-survey system.
Defined by Edmund Gunter in 1620 specifically to make land-area arithmetic easy: 10 square chains = 1 acre exactly. The 66-foot length and 100-link subdivision were chosen so chain measurements could be added decimally.
Chains are the fundamental unit of legacy US public land surveys (the entire US township-and-range system uses chains). Modern survey work generally uses meters or feet, but legacy deeds remain in chains.
Invented by Edmund Gunter in 1620; standardised throughout English and American land survey; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Ell
An ell is an Imperial unit of length equal to 45 inches (1.143 m), historically used as the standard measure of cloth in English commerce.
The ell derives from old English elna (forearm) and was standardised in medieval English trade as the cloth-measuring yard equivalent. The English ell is 45 inches; other regional ells differed.
Ells appear in historical English commerce records (especially cloth and tapestry trade). Used in legal documents through the 19th century; rare in modern commerce but referenced in literary and historical contexts.
Medieval English cloth-trade origin; standardised at 45 inches; became exact via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
Chain to Ell conversion formula
The relationship between chains and ells:
To convert chains to ells, multiply the value in chains by 17.6. To reverse, multiply ells by 0.0568181818.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in ells updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Ell to Chain converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert chains to ells
- Write down the value in chains (ch).
- Multiply that value by the factor 17.6.
- The product is the equivalent value in ells (ell).
- To reverse, multiply the ell value by 0.0568181818.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 ch to ell:
1 × 17.6 = 17.6 ell
Example 2 — Convert 100 ch to ell:
100 × 17.6 = 1760 ell
Chain to Ell conversion table
Standard reference values for converting chains to ells:
| Chain [ch] | Ell [ell] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.176 |
| 0.1 | 1.76 |
| 1 | 17.6 |
| 2 | 35.2 |
| 3 | 52.8 |
| 4 | 70.4 |
| 5 | 88 |
| 10 | 176 |
| 20 | 352 |
| 30 | 528 |
| 40 | 704 |
| 50 | 880 |
| 100 | 1760 |
| 500 | 8800 |
| 1000 | 17600 |
Frequently asked questions
How many ells is 1 chain?
How do I convert chains to ells?
How do I convert ells back to chains?
How many ells is 100 chains?
Popular length unit conversions
Convert Chain to other length units
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Metric / SI (4 units)
Imperial / US Customary (26 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 ch = 17.6 ell) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.