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Land measurements

The following terms are familiar terms to describe land:

Acre 10 square chains or 160 rods, or 43,560 square feet or 4840 square yards

640 acres 1 square mile

Chain 66 feet or 4 rods or 100 links

Foot 12 inches

Link 7.92 inches

Mile 80 chains or 320 rods or 5280 feet

Mile (square) 640 acres

Perch 1 rod or pole

Pole 1 rod or perch

Rod 16 1/2 feet or 1/4 chain or 25 links or 198 inches. Also equal to 1 perch or 1 pole

Rod (square) 272 1/4 square feet

Vara 33 inches

Yard 3 feet or 36 inches

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Land and Property." United States Research Outline. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 1988, 2002.
Styx, Sherrie A., Chicago Ward Maps 1837-1970, FHL US/CAN 977.311 E7s.
Class entitled "Overview of Land Records" by Mary E. V. Hill [2003].

v • d • e Links to U.S. Land and Property-related articles

Topics	Beginning Research • Indexing Systems • Inheriting Land • Land Grant Process • Land Measurements • Land Patent Search • Land Terms and; Definitions • Locating Federal Land on Maps • Maps • Metes and Bounds • Platting Land • Federal Land States • State Land States

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