Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
Doesn't matter.
I never count chain links. For a single diamond frame bike, any new chain that you buy is going to be too long. Lay out the chain that you take off next to it and break the new chain at the appropriate place.
This can result in making the new chain too long if the old one is badly worn. Assuming 110 "pitches" in a typical chain, the worn chain could be 1/2" longer than new if worn to the 1% mark and 1" longer than new if really bad at 2% wear.
I use the Sheldon Brown's/Park Tool's sizing technique of big-big+1" even when replacing a chain on the same bike with the same gearing.