Link (Gunter's) to Arpent Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert links to arpents with our free online length converter.
Link (Gunter's) to Arpent Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Link (Gunter's)).
- The converted value in Arpent 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 Link (Gunter's) to Arpent
Converting Link (Gunter's) to Arpent involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Link (Gunter's) = 0.00344047 arpentsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 links: 10 × 0.00344047 = 0.0344047 arpents
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 Link (Gunter's) and a Arpent?
The Link, specifically Gunter's Link (symbol li), is a unit of length historically used in surveying, particularly within the imperial and U.S. customary systems. It is defined as exactly 1/100th of a Gunter's chain.
One Gunter's link is equivalent to:
- 0.01 Gunter's chains
- 7.92 inches (in)
- 0.66 feet (ft) (exactly 2/3 of a foot)
- 0.22 yards (yd)
- 0.04 rods (also called poles or perches)
- 0.201168 meters (m) (exactly)
- 20.1168 centimeters (cm)
A Gunter's chain itself measures 66 feet, 22 yards, 4 rods, or 20.1168 meters.
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).
Note: The Link (Gunter's) is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Arpent belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Link (Gunter's) and Arpent
The link, as part of Gunter's chain, was devised by the English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter around 1620. He introduced a measuring chain that was 66 feet long and divided into 100 links. This system was revolutionary for surveyors because its decimal nature (100 links per chain) simplified calculations, especially for area. Land area could be easily calculated in square chains and then converted to acres, as 10 square chains equal exactly 1 acre. Gunter's chain and its links became the standard tools for land surveying in England and later throughout the British Empire and the United States for centuries.
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.
Common Uses for links and arpents
Explore the typical applications for both Link (Gunter's) (imperial/US) and Arpent (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for links
The Gunter's link is now largely obsolete but was historically significant:
- Land Surveying: It was the fundamental unit for measuring property boundaries and land parcels in English-speaking countries for over 300 years.
- Cartography: Used in creating maps and plats based on surveys.
- Land Records: Measurements in links (and chains) frequently appear in older property deeds, historical surveys, and legal descriptions of land. Understanding the link is crucial for interpreting these documents.
- Agriculture: The system was tied to the definition of the acre, a common unit of land area.
Its use declined dramatically with the adoption of the metric system and the advent of more precise surveying technologies like steel tapes, theodolites, Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), and GPS.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Link (Gunter's) (li)
How long is a Gunter's Link?
One Gunter's Link is equal to:
- 7.92 inches
- 0.66 feet (2/3 ft)
- 0.201168 meters
- 20.1168 centimeters
How many links are in a Gunter's chain?
There are exactly 100 links in one Gunter's chain.
How long is a Gunter's Chain?
One Gunter's chain is equal to:
- 100 links
- 66 feet
- 22 yards
- 4 rods (or poles, perches)
- 1/10th of a furlong
- 1/80th of a statute mile
- 20.1168 meters
How does the link relate to the acre?
The link is directly related to the acre through the Gunter's chain. An acre is defined as 10 square chains. Since 1 chain = 100 links:
- 1 acre = 10 × (100 links)² = 10 × 10,000 square links = 100,000 square links. This decimal relationship greatly simplified area calculations for surveyors using the chain.
Is the link an SI unit?
No, the Gunter's link is not an SI unit. It is part of the traditional imperial and U.S. customary systems. The corresponding SI unit for length is the meter (m).
Is the Gunter's link still used today?
No, the Gunter's link is rarely used in modern surveying practice. Its primary relevance today is in historical contexts, particularly when interpreting old land deeds, surveys, and maps created using Gunter's system. Modern surveying relies on meters or feet, measured with advanced electronic equipment.
Why was it called a 'link'?
It was called a 'link' because Gunter's chain was literally constructed from 100 physical metal links connected by rings. Each link served as a unit of measurement.
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).
Conversion Table: Link (Gunter's) to Arpent
| Link (Gunter's) (li) | Arpent (arpent) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.003 |
| 5 | 0.017 |
| 10 | 0.034 |
| 25 | 0.086 |
| 50 | 0.172 |
| 100 | 0.344 |
| 500 | 1.72 |
| 1,000 | 3.441 |
All Length Conversions
Other Units from Length
- Meter (m)
- Kilometer (km)
- Hectometer (hm)
- Decimeter (dm)
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- Inch (in)
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- 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)
- Pace (pace)
- Span (span)
- Digit (digit)
- Cable Length (cb)
- Ell (ell)
- Finger (finger)
- Roman Mile (m.p.)
- Stadion (stadion)
- Chi (Chinese) (chi)
- 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)