Convert Sabin (sabin) to Square Chain (ch²) instantly.
About these units
Sabin (sabin)
A sabin is the acoustic unit of sound absorption area, equivalent to the absorption provided by one square foot of a perfectly absorbing surface. Unlike geometric area units, the sabin measures how much sound energy a surface absorbs rather than its physical size alone. Materials with partial absorption effectiveness—such as acoustic tiles or drapes—contribute fractional sabins depending on their absorption coefficient. Architects and acoustic engineers use sabins to design theaters, concert halls, classrooms, and workplaces. The unit translates directly into reverberation time calculations, making it a foundational concept in architectural acoustics.
Square Chain (ch²)
A square chain equals the area of a square one chain (~66 feet) per side, resulting in 4,356 square feet, or exactly 1/10 of an acre. This unit is closely linked to the chain, a surveyor's unit standardized by Edmund Gunter in the 17th century. Because 10 square chains make an acre, survey calculations for early colonial and American lands were extremely efficient. Square chains allowed surveyors to map and divide land rapidly using ropes or metal chains, producing a legacy seen in long, straight property lines still visible today across rural landscapes.