How many square chains make up one acre?

One acre is defined as being equivalent to 10 square chains. This relationship arises from historical surveying practices where measurements were often based on chains, which were standardized lengths used in land measurement. A square chain is a unit of area equal to a chain by a chain, or 66 feet by 66 feet, resulting in an area of 4,356 square feet. When considering an acre, which is defined as 43,560 square feet, this translates to exactly 10 square chains (since 43,560 divided by 4,356 gives 10). Therefore, understanding the relationship of chains to acres is crucial for accurate area calculations in surveying and land assessment.