Arpent to Chi (Chinese) Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert arpents to chi with our free online length converter.
Arpent to Chi (Chinese) Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Arpent).
- The converted value in Chi (Chinese) will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Arpent to Chi (Chinese)
Converting Arpent to Chi (Chinese) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Arpent = 175.4305 chiExample Calculation:
Convert 10 arpents: 10 × 175.4305 = 1754.305 chi
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Arpent and a Chi (Chinese)?
The Arpent is a historical French unit used primarily for measuring land area, but also sometimes used as a unit of length. As a unit of length, the arpent typically referred to the side length of a square arpent of land.
Its precise length varied significantly by region and time period in France and its colonies. A commonly cited value, particularly associated with the arpent de Paris, is based on 180 French feet (pieds du Roi), which equates to approximately:
- 58.47 meters (m)
- 191.8 feet (ft)
Other variations existed, such as the arpent commun (based on 200 French feet, ~64.97 m) and the arpent d'ordonnance (based on 220 French feet, ~71.47 m).
The Chi (尺) is a traditional Chinese unit of length, often translated as the "Chinese foot". It served as a fundamental base unit within the traditional Chinese system of weights and measures (度量衡, dùliànghéng).
The Chi is traditionally subdivided and multiplied as follows:
- 1 Zhang (丈) = 10 Chi
- 1 Chi (尺) = 10 Cun (寸 - Chinese inch)
- 1 Cun (寸) = 10 Fen (分 - Chinese line)
While sometimes called the "Chinese foot", its length has historically varied significantly and is generally longer than the imperial foot. The modern standardized value is exactly 1/3 of a meter.
Note: The Arpent is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Chi (Chinese) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Arpent and Chi (Chinese)
The term "arpent" likely derives from the Gaulish arepennis, meaning "end of a field," suggesting its origins relate to agricultural land measurement, possibly representing the amount of land that could be plowed in a day. It became a fundamental unit for land surveying in France during the medieval period and remained in use until the adoption of the metric system following the French Revolution.
- Regional Variations: Before standardization efforts, the length (and thus area) of the arpent varied considerably across different regions of France. Key variations included:
- Arpent de Paris: Based on a perche (rod) of 18 pieds du Roi (French feet), with the linear arpent (side of the square) being 10 perches, totaling 180 pieds (~58.47 m). The area was 32,400 square pieds.
- Arpent Commun: Based on a perche of 20 pieds, linear arpent of 200 pieds (~64.97 m). Area: 40,000 square pieds.
- Arpent d'Ordonnance (or Arpent des Eaux et Forêts): Based on a perche of 22 pieds, linear arpent of 220 pieds (~71.47 m). Area: 48,400 square pieds. Used primarily for royal forests.
- Colonial Usage: The arpent was exported to French colonies, notably:
- New France (Quebec, Canada): The arpent de Paris became the standard for land grants along the St. Lawrence River, shaping the characteristic long, narrow farm plots (rangs).
- Louisiana (USA): The French arpent (usually the arpent de Paris) was used for land measurement before and sometimes after the Louisiana Purchase. Its legacy persists in land titles and some place names.
- Metrication: The metric system officially replaced the arpent and other traditional units in France in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, though its use lingered in practice and historical records.
The Chi has been used in China for millennia, with its length undergoing numerous changes across different dynasties and regions. Archaeological evidence suggests its use dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC).
- Early Dynasties: Lengths varied, often based on standards set by the ruling government. For example, the Chi during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) was around 23.1 cm, while during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), it was closer to 30.7 cm.
- Later Dynasties: Variations continued. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), different standards existed for different trades, such as a gongchéng chi (工尺) for engineering (approx. 32 cm) and a cáiféng chi (裁縫尺) for tailoring (approx. 35.5 cm).
- 20th Century Standardization: In the Republic of China era (1912–1949), efforts were made to standardize traditional units with the metric system. In 1929, the Chi was officially defined as exactly 1/3 of a meter (33.33... cm). This standard was largely retained by the People's Republic of China after 1949.
Unlike some Western units (like the foot or digit), the Chi's connection to direct anthropomorphic measurement (like the length of a forearm or foot) is less clear and likely became conventionalized early in its history.
Common Uses for arpents and chi
Explore the typical applications for both Arpent (imperial/US) and Chi (Chinese) (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for arpents
The Arpent (both linear and area) is now largely obsolete for practical measurement but remains historically significant:
- Historical Land Surveys: Essential for interpreting old maps, deeds, and land grants in France, Quebec, Louisiana, and other areas formerly under French control (e.g., parts of the US Midwest like Missouri, Illinois, Indiana).
- Legal Context: Land descriptions in some regions may still reference original measurements in arpents, requiring conversion for modern understanding.
- Historical Research: Understanding the arpent is crucial for historians studying agriculture, settlement patterns, and land tenure systems in French history and its colonial contexts.
- Unit of Area: While this page focuses on the length, the arpent is more commonly known and encountered as a unit of area (the square arpent).
Common Uses for chi
Historically, the Chi was ubiquitous in Chinese society. Its modern usage is less common but persists in specific areas:
- Historical Measurement: Essential for understanding dimensions in ancient and imperial Chinese architecture, engineering projects (like canals and walls), land surveying (often in conjunction with the Bu 步 and Li 里), and everyday objects.
- Textile Measurement: Used for measuring cloth lengths, similar to the Western ell or yard. The tailor's chi (裁縫尺) was specifically used for this.
- Traditional Crafts: Still used in some traditional arts and crafts, such as calligraphy, painting, furniture making, and seal carving, where traditional proportions are valued.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The cun (1/10th of a chi) is used as a proportional body measurement unit (known as the body inch) to locate acupuncture points. The patient's own body proportions determine the length of their cun.
- Cultural Context: Appears frequently in historical texts, literature, idioms (e.g., 得寸進尺, dé cùn jìn chǐ - "gain an inch, advance a foot," meaning to become greedy), and cultural practices.
- Informal Measurement: In some contexts, particularly among older generations or in rural areas, informal measurements might still reference the chi or cun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Arpent (arpent)
Is the Arpent a unit of length or area?
The Arpent is primarily known as a unit of area, representing a specific parcel of land. However, a linear arpent also exists, defined as the side length of a square whose area is one arpent. This page focuses on the linear arpent. The relationship is direct: Area Arpent = (Linear Arpent)². Because the linear arpent varied, the area also varied.
Where is the Arpent still relevant?
The Arpent is not used for everyday measurements today. Its relevance is almost entirely historical and legal:
- Quebec (Canada): Crucial for understanding historical land division and property lines, especially the seigneurial system.
- Louisiana (USA): Important for interpreting land titles dating back to the French colonial period.
- France: Relevant for historical studies and understanding old documents.
- Other former French territories: May appear in historical records (e.g., Mauritius, parts of the US Midwest).
How long is a linear Arpent?
There is no single value, as it varied regionally. Common historical values include:
- Arpent de Paris: ~180 French feet ≈ 58.47 meters ≈ 191.8 feet (Most common in Quebec & Louisiana)
- Arpent Commun: ~200 French feet ≈ 64.97 meters ≈ 213.2 feet
- Arpent d'Ordonnance: ~220 French feet ≈ 71.47 meters ≈ 234.5 feet (Note: The French foot, pied du Roi, was slightly longer than the English foot, approx. 32.48 cm or 12.79 inches).
How does the linear Arpent compare to a Meter or Foot?
- The most common linear arpent (~58.47 m) is significantly longer than a meter. (1 Arpent ≈ 58.47 m)
- It is also much longer than a foot. (1 Arpent ≈ 191.8 ft)
Is the Arpent an SI unit?
No, the Arpent is not an SI unit. It is a traditional unit from the French system of measurements. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m), and the SI unit for area is the square meter (m²).
About Chi (Chinese) (chi)
How long is a Chi?
The length of the Chi has varied significantly throughout history. Key values include:
- Han Dynasty: ~23.1 cm (~9.1 inches)
- Tang Dynasty: ~30.7 cm (~12.1 inches)
- Modern Standardized Value (since 1929): Exactly 1/3 of a meter.
- This equals 33.33... centimeters (cm).
- Approximately 13.12 inches (in).
- Approximately 1.094 feet (ft).
What are the subdivisions and multiples of the Chi?
The traditional system is decimal:
- Subdivisions: 1 Chi = 10 Cun (寸); 1 Cun = 10 Fen (分).
- Multiples: 1 Zhang (丈) = 10 Chi. Another important related unit is the Li (里), standardized as 150 Zhang or 1500 Chi (historically varied, now 500 meters).
How does the Chi relate to the Meter?
Since 1929, the Chi has been officially defined in relation to the meter:
- 1 Chi = 1/3 Meter
- 1 Meter = 3 Chi
Is Chi related to other East Asian units?
Yes, the Chi is the historical basis for similar traditional length units in neighboring countries, which evolved independently over time:
- Japan: Shaku (尺) - Modern standardized value is 10/33 meters (approx. 30.3 cm).
- Korea: Cheok (척) or Ja (자) - Modern standardized value is also 10/33 meters (approx. 30.3 cm).
- Vietnam: Thước - Various historical values, sometimes aligned with Chinese standards.
Is the Chi an SI unit?
No, the Chi is not an SI unit. It is a traditional Chinese unit. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Chi still used today?
Officially, China uses the metric system (SI units) for all legal, commercial, and scientific purposes. However, the Chi (and its subdivision, the Cun) still sees use in:
- Traditional crafts and arts.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for body measurements.
- Cultural and historical contexts.
- Informal measurements in some communities.
- The term "Chi" might sometimes be used colloquially to refer to 1/3 of a meter.
Where does the name 'Chi' and the character 尺 come from?
The character 尺 is a pictogram. Its earliest forms are thought to depict a hand stretching out or a measuring tool. Its exact etymological origin related to a specific body part is debated, but it has represented this fundamental unit of length for millennia.
Conversion Table: Arpent to Chi (Chinese)
| Arpent (arpent) | Chi (Chinese) (chi) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 175.431 |
| 5 | 877.153 |
| 10 | 1,754.305 |
| 25 | 4,385.764 |
| 50 | 8,771.527 |
| 100 | 17,543.054 |
| 500 | 87,715.272 |
| 1,000 | 175,430.543 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
- Centimeter (cm)
- Millimeter (mm)
- Inch (in)
- Foot (ft)
- Yard (yd)
- Mile (mi)
- Nautical Mile (NM)
- Micrometer (μm)
- Nanometer (nm)
- Light Year (ly)
- Astronomical Unit (AU)
- Parsec (pc)
- Angstrom (Å)
- Point (Typography) (pt)
- Mil/Thou (mil)
- Fathom (fath)
- Furlong (fur)
- Link (Gunter's) (li)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Shaku (Japanese) (shaku)
- Li (Chinese) (li)
- Toise (toise)
- Bolt (bolt)
- Rope (rope)
- Smoot (smoot)
- Sajene (sajene)
- Ken (ken)
- Wa (wa)
- Vara (vara)
- Aln (aln)
- Cubit (Royal/Egyptian) (cubit)
- Versta (versta)
- Ri (Japanese) (ri)
- Klafter (klafter)
- Yojana (yojana)
- Skein (skein)