Historical information

Before metric measurement was introduced land was measured in chains and links.

The chain was a precision part of a surveyor's equipment. It required frequent calibration, yet needed to be sturdy enough to be dragged through rough terrain for years.

A standard survey chain is 66 feet (or 20.117m) long and made up of 100 links. Each link is 7.92 inches (approximately 201mm) long, measured from the inside of the loop. The handles are for tensioning the chain in use, they are not part of the length of the chain. In pre-metric units, there were 80 chains to 1 mile (equals 1.609km)

This surveyor’s chain has an 8-inch link pitch, with markers at 10 link intervals.

Physical description

This metal surveyor’s chain (or Gunter's Chain) has an 8-inch link pitch, with markers at 10 link intervals, and handles at either end. A Surveyor’s Chain was 66 feet long, and made up of 100 links connected by two rings. A link in measurement includes the two rings at each end.