# xarray.DataArray.chunk

`DataArray.``chunk`(chunks: Union[None, numbers.Number, Tuple[numbers.Number, ...], Tuple[Tuple[numbers.Number, ...], ...], Mapping[Hashable, Union[None, numbers.Number, Tuple[numbers.Number, ...]]]] = None, name_prefix: str = 'xarray-', token: str = None, lock: bool = False) → xarray.core.dataarray.DataArray

  Coerce this array’s data into a dask arrays with the given chunks.

  If this variable is a non-dask array, it will be converted to dask array. If it’s a dask array, it will be rechunked to the given chunk sizes.

  If neither chunks is not provided for one or more dimensions, chunk sizes along that dimension will not be updated; non-dask arrays will be converted into dask arrays with a single block.

  Parameters:

  - chunks (int, tuple or mapping, optional) – Chunk sizes along each dimension, e.g., `5`, `(5, 5)` or `{'x': 5, 'y': 5}`.
  - name_prefix (str, optional) – Prefix for the name of the new dask array.
  - token (str, optional) – Token uniquely identifying this array.
  - lock (optional) – Passed on to `dask.array.from_array()`, if the array is not already as dask array.

  Returns: | chunked
  Return type: | xarray.DataArray