Convert Homesteads to Square Chains
Convert Homesteads (hmstd) to Square Chains (ch²) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
ch² = hmstd × 1600
About Homesteads
A homestead is a land area unit of exactly 160 acres (approximately 64.75 hectares or 0.6475 km²) - one quarter of a one-square-mile section - established by the US Homestead Act of 1862. The Act promised 160 acres to settlers willing to farm the land for five years, transforming the American West: over 270 million acres (about 10% of the entire continental US) were granted to 1.6 million homesteaders. In the US Public Land Survey System, one homestead equals a quarter-section, with four homesteads forming one full section of 640 acres.
About Square Chains
A square chain (ch²) is a surveying unit equal to the area of a square with sides of one Gunter's chain (66 feet or ~20.12 m), approximately 404.69 m². Ten square chains equal exactly one acre, making it the natural subdivision unit in traditional land surveying. The US Public Land Survey System used chains to lay out townships and sections, and square chains appear throughout old legal property descriptions and government land grants across North America. One square chain equals exactly 16 square rods.
Quick Reference Table
| Homesteads (hmstd) | Square Chains (ch²) |
|---|---|
| 1 hmstd | 1600 ch² |
| 2 hmstd | 3200 ch² |
| 5 hmstd | 8000 ch² |
| 10 hmstd | 16000 ch² |
| 25 hmstd | 40000 ch² |
| 50 hmstd | 80000 ch² |
| 100 hmstd | 160000 ch² |