This historic surveying technique relies on pulling a metal chain of fixed length taut between two points to determine distance. Surveyors count the number of full chains and individual links to calculate the total measurement. While replaced by electronic distance measurement, the principles established by this method still underpin property descriptions.
We found the original corner monument exactly where the old field notes said it would be, despite the rough chainwork from the original survey.
Even though nobody drags a physical chain anymore, the term survives in older deeds and the concept lives on in the word chainage.
Related terms
Chain
A traditional measuring instrument made of wire links, or the unit of length equal to 66 feet.
link
A historic unit of length equal to 7.92 inches, representing one segment of a surveyor's chain.
Engineer's chain
A historic distance-measuring tool exactly one hundred feet long, divided into one hundred links.
Chainman
A survey crew member responsible for holding the measuring tape, prism, or leveling rod.