Chi (Chinese) to Stadion Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool

Convert chi to stadia with our free online length converter.

Chi (Chinese) to Stadion Calculator

Chi (Chinese)
Stadion

How to Use the Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Chi (Chinese)).
  2. The converted value in Stadion will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Length category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.

How to Convert Chi (Chinese) to Stadion

Converting Chi (Chinese) to Stadion involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

1 Chi (Chinese) = 0.00180162 stadia

Example Calculation:

Convert 10 chi: 10 × 0.00180162 = 0.0180162 stadia

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 Chi (Chinese) and a Stadion?

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.

The Stadion (Ancient Greek: στάδιον, plural: στάδια, stadia) was a prominent ancient Greek unit of length. Its primary basis was the standard length of the track in a Greek stadion (stadium) structure, the venue for footraces and other athletic events.

Like many ancient units, its precise length varied depending on the specific location (polis) and time period, as different stadiums had slightly different track lengths. However, it was generally understood to be 600 Greek feet (podes). Since the Greek foot itself varied, so did the stadion.

Commonly cited values include:

  • Olympic Stadion: Approximately 192.27 meters (m) or about 630.8 feet (ft). Based on the stadium at Olympia.
  • Attic (Athenian) Stadion: Often estimated around 185 meters (m) or about 607 feet (ft). This is a frequently used general approximation.
  • Ptolemaic (Egyptian) Stadion: Used later, sometimes estimated around 157.5 meters (m).

Note: The Chi (Chinese) is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Stadion belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

History of the Chi (Chinese) and Stadion

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.

The stadion was a fundamental unit in the Hellenic world, dating back to at least the Archaic period (c. 800–480 BCE).

  • Origin: Directly tied to the length of the stadion footrace, which was the premier event at the ancient Olympic Games and other Panhellenic games. The track length became a standard measure.
  • Variability: Different major sites (Olympia, Delphi, Athens, Epidaurus) had stadiums of slightly different lengths, leading to regional variations of the stadion unit. The 600-foot standard was common, but the length of the 'foot' differed.
  • Geographical Measurement: It became the standard unit for measuring larger distances, such as travel routes between cities or the dimensions of territories. Historians like Herodotus and geographers like Strabo used it extensively.
  • Eratosthenes' Calculation: Most famously, Eratosthenes of Cyrene (c. 276–194 BCE) used the stadion to estimate the Earth's circumference with remarkable accuracy for his time. His result depended crucially on the specific stadion length he assumed (likely the Attic or Egyptian stadion).
  • Roman Influence: While the Romans adopted their own system (based on the passus and Roman mile), Greek units like the stadion continued to be understood and sometimes used in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire and referenced by Roman writers like Pliny the Elder when discussing Greek geography.
  • Decline: With the decline of the Greek city-states and the dominance of Rome, followed by later measurement reforms, the stadion gradually fell out of practical use, eventually being entirely superseded by Roman, Byzantine, and later metric or imperial units.

Common Uses for chi and stadia

Explore the typical applications for both Chi (Chinese) (imperial/US) and Stadion (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

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.

Common Uses for stadia

The stadion is now obsolete but was historically essential for:

  • Athletics: Defining the length of the primary footrace and the stadium itself.
  • Geography & Cartography: Measuring distances between locations, the size of regions, and geographical features in the Greek world.
  • Astronomy: Used by figures like Eratosthenes and Ptolemy for astronomical distances and calculations (e.g., Earth's circumference, distances to celestial bodies).
  • Architecture & Urban Planning: Sometimes used for measuring large structures or city dimensions.
  • Historical Texts: Crucial for understanding distances mentioned in ancient Greek literature, historical accounts (like Thucydides or Herodotus), and scientific treatises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions 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.

About Stadion (stadion)

How long was a stadion?

There was no single, universal length for the stadion. It varied by location and era, typically defined as 600 Greek feet (podes), but the length of the foot varied. Key estimates include:

  • Olympic Stadion: ~192 meters (~631 ft)
  • Attic (Athenian) Stadion: ~185 meters (~607 ft) - Often used as a general average.
  • Ptolemaic Stadion: ~157.5 meters (~517 ft) When interpreting ancient texts, the specific context or author might suggest which stadion length is most appropriate.

How many Greek feet were in a stadion?

A stadion was typically defined as 600 Greek feet (podes).

How did the stadion relate to the Roman mile?

The relationship is not exact due to the variability of the stadion. However, Roman writers often used approximations. A common equivalence was 8 stadia ≈ 1 Roman mile (mille passus). Using the Attic stadion (~185 m) gives 8 * 185 m = 1480 m, which is very close to the standard Roman mile of ~1480 meters.

Is the stadion an SI unit?

No, the stadion is not an SI unit. It is an ancient Greek unit of length. The SI base unit for length is the meter (m).

Is the stadion still used today?

No, the stadion is obsolete and not used for any modern measurements. Its significance is purely historical, essential for classical studies, archaeology, and the history of science (especially geography and astronomy).

Is the stadion related to modern stadiums?

Yes, absolutely. The English word "stadium" directly derives from the Greek stadion, referring originally to the unit of length and then to the structure built to that length for footraces.

Conversion Table: Chi (Chinese) to Stadion

Chi (Chinese) (chi)Stadion (stadion)
10.002
50.009
100.018
250.045
500.09
1000.18
5000.901
1,0001.802

All Length Conversions

Meter to KilometerMeter to HectometerMeter to DecimeterMeter to CentimeterMeter to MillimeterMeter to InchMeter to FootMeter to YardMeter to MileMeter to Nautical MileMeter to MicrometerMeter to NanometerMeter to Light YearMeter to Astronomical UnitMeter to ParsecMeter to AngstromMeter to Point (Typography)Meter to Mil/ThouMeter to FathomMeter to FurlongMeter to Link (Gunter's)Meter to PaceMeter to SpanMeter to DigitMeter to Cable LengthMeter to EllMeter to FingerMeter to Roman MileMeter to StadionMeter to Chi (Chinese)Meter to Shaku (Japanese)Meter to Li (Chinese)Meter to ToiseMeter to BoltMeter to RopeMeter to SmootMeter to SajeneMeter to KenMeter to WaMeter to VaraMeter to AlnMeter to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)Meter to VerstaMeter to ArpentMeter to Ri (Japanese)Meter to KlafterMeter to YojanaMeter to SkeinKilometer to MeterKilometer to HectometerKilometer to DecimeterKilometer to CentimeterKilometer to MillimeterKilometer to InchKilometer to FootKilometer to YardKilometer to MileKilometer to Nautical MileKilometer to MicrometerKilometer to NanometerKilometer to Light YearKilometer to Astronomical UnitKilometer to ParsecKilometer to AngstromKilometer to Point (Typography)Kilometer to Mil/ThouKilometer to FathomKilometer to FurlongKilometer to Link (Gunter's)Kilometer to PaceKilometer to SpanKilometer to DigitKilometer to Cable LengthKilometer to EllKilometer to FingerKilometer to Roman MileKilometer to StadionKilometer to Chi (Chinese)Kilometer to Shaku (Japanese)Kilometer to Li (Chinese)Kilometer to ToiseKilometer to BoltKilometer to RopeKilometer to SmootKilometer to SajeneKilometer to KenKilometer to WaKilometer to VaraKilometer to AlnKilometer to Cubit (Royal/Egyptian)Kilometer to VerstaKilometer to ArpentKilometer to Ri (Japanese)Kilometer to KlafterKilometer to YojanaKilometer to SkeinHectometer to MeterHectometer to KilometerHectometer to DecimeterHectometer to CentimeterHectometer to MillimeterHectometer to InchHectometer to FootHectometer to YardHectometer to MileHectometer to Nautical MileHectometer to MicrometerHectometer to NanometerHectometer to Light YearHectometer to Astronomical UnitHectometer to ParsecHectometer to AngstromHectometer to Point (Typography)Hectometer to Mil/ThouHectometer to FathomHectometer to FurlongHectometer to Link (Gunter's)Hectometer to PaceHectometer to SpanHectometer to Digit