Convert Square Chain (ch²) to Square Foot (ft²) instantly.
About these units
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.
Square Foot (ft²)
A square foot is the area of a square one foot on each side. It is widely used in the United States, the UK (historically), Canada (in real estate), and other regions where imperial units remain culturally influential. Square feet dominate property listings, architectural blueprints, and interior design specifications in the US. The measurement provides an intuitive scale for rooms and buildings, fitting well with common human-scaled dimensions. Although metrication has reduced its use worldwide, the square foot remains deeply embedded in construction codes, real estate markets, and consumer expectations in countries that continue to rely on imperial or hybrid systems. Its survival highlights the cultural persistence of traditional measurement systems despite global standardization.