Convert Long Cubit (long cubit) to Chain (ch) instantly.
About these units
Long Cubit (long cubit)
The long cubit is an extended form of the traditional cubit, often adding an extra palm or handbreadth, resulting in a measurement of approximately 0.525 meters. It was used in ancient Egypt, Israel, and surrounding regions for larger construction projects. This unit allowed architects to scale up structures while maintaining proportionality, particularly in monumental architecture like temples, palaces, and pyramids. Its standardized use enabled consistency across multiple teams of builders working simultaneously on expansive projects. The long cubit also appears in historical and religious texts, giving scholars a reference for interpreting ancient measurements and architectural descriptions.
Chain (ch)
A chain is equal to 66 feet or 4 rods, and it was standardized by surveyor Edmund Gunter in the 17th century. "Gunter's chain," consisting of 100 metal links, became the backbone of land surveying in the English-speaking world for centuries. Its convenience stems from simple arithmetic: 10 square chains make an acre, making land area calculations straightforward. Railroads, farmland, and city parcels across the United States and the Commonwealth nations were once laid out using chains, so the unit appears in countless historical records. Even today, some legal property descriptions still reference chain-based measurements, making the unit relevant for modern surveyors who interpret old maps. Although high-precision digital equipment has replaced physical chains, the unit's structural role in land division ensures its lasting importance.