š Global Land Area Converter
Convert between acres, hectares, square feet/meters, kanal, marla, bigha, ropani, rai, and moreācovering metric, imperial, and regional units worldwide.
Display Options
Global Land Area Converter: Your Bridge Between World Land Units
Land is bought, sold, leased, and inherited using different units in different countries. The Global Land Area Converter is a single tool that lets you convert land size between acres, hectares, square feet/meters, square yards, and regional units like kanal, marla, bigha, ropani, rai, and moreāwithout memorizing any conversion factors. Whether you're comparing property listings across borders, planning agricultural projects, or simply trying to understand how big a plot actually is, this converter gives you instant clarity in familiar terms.
Many people see listings in one unit (for example, marla, bigha, or rai) but think in another (for example, acres, hectares, or square feet). This disconnect can lead to confusion during property searches, negotiations, and family discussions about land. The Global Land Area Converter eliminates this barrier by instantly turning one land area into many equivalent sizes at once, so you can see the same plot in familiar terms and communicate clearly with buyers, sellers, agents, and officials who use different unit systems.
This converter supports regional presets for units that vary by state or country, helping you stay closer to local conventions. For example, a "bigha" in Punjab, India, may differ from a "bigha" in Uttar Pradesh or Nepal. The tool provides commonly used reference values for different regions, allowing you to select the appropriate preset and get more accurate conversions. It also offers batch conversion options so you can compare multiple plots in one go, making it perfect for real estate searches, agricultural planning, and educational projects.
This tool is particularly useful for real estate searches and property negotiations where buyers and sellers may think in different units, agriculture and farm planning when discussing land with family, agents, or officials who use different measurement systems, students, professionals, and diaspora communities bridging "home country" units with international metric or imperial units, and anyone who needs to quickly understand land sizes across different countries and unit systems.
It's important to remember that this is a planning and understanding tool: it helps you speak a shared "area language" across borders and regions. The converter uses standard reference factors and regional presets to give practical approximations, but official measurements for deeds, tax, and registration should always follow local laws and certified surveyors. This tool is not a replacement for official land surveys, cadastral records, or legally binding measurements.
Important Note: This converter is for planning and educational purposes. For legal boundary disputes, tax filings, property registration, or exact engineering design, always rely on official surveys, cadastral records, and local regulations. Regional units like bigha and marla can vary by locationāconfirm exact definitions with local authorities for legal purposes.
Understanding Land Area Units: Metric, Imperial, and Regional
What Is Land Area?
Area is the amount of two-dimensional space a piece of land covers. Unlike length (measured in meters or feet), area is measured in "square" units (for example, square meters, square feet), which represent the space enclosed within a boundary.
Standard math definition: Area is measured in "square" units (for example, square meters, square feet), not length units (meters, feet) alone. A square meter (mĀ²) is the area of a square with sides one meter long. A square foot (ftĀ²) is the area of a square with sides one foot long.
Why different units exist: Historical traditions, agricultural practices, and local land laws led to unique units like bigha, ropani, rai, kanal, marla, and others. These regional units often originated from practical measurements used in farming, land division, and local administration, creating a rich diversity of land measurement systems around the world.
Metric and Imperial Area Units
Metric units:
- Square meter (mĀ²): The base unit of area in the metric system
- Hectare (ha): = 10,000 mĀ² (commonly used for large land areas like farms and parks)
- Square kilometer (kmĀ²): = 1,000,000 mĀ² (used for very large areas like cities or countries)
Imperial/customary units:
- Square foot (ftĀ²): Common in the United States, Canada, and some other countries
- Square yard (ydĀ²): = 9 ftĀ² (sometimes used in real estate)
- Acre: = 43,560 ftĀ² (about 4,047 mĀ²), widely used in agriculture and real estate
- Square mile (miĀ²): = 640 acres (used for very large areas)
These standardized units are used internationally and have fixed conversion factors, making them reliable for cross-border comparisons and calculations.
Regional Land Area Units
Regional units are common in South Asia and other regions: bigha, biswa, kattha, kanal, marla, ropani, aana, rai, and more. These units have deep historical roots and are still widely used in local real estate, agriculture, and land administration.
Non-standardized sizes:
- A "bigha" in one state or country may not match a "bigha" elsewhere
- Similar names can have different actual areas depending on local practice
- For example, a bigha in Punjab, India, might be different from a bigha in Uttar Pradesh, India, or Nepal
- Marla sizes can vary between Pakistan and different regions of India
Role of regional presets: The tool can provide commonly used reference values for different regions, but users should confirm exact definitions for legal purposes. When selecting a regional preset (for example, IndiaāPunjab, Nepal, Pakistan), the converter uses standard reference factors for that region's typical unit sizes, giving you practical approximations that align with local conventions.
Why Conversions Can Be Confusing
Multiple systems: People may think in acres while land listings use bigha or marla. Urban vs rural conventions may differ even within one country, and diaspora communities may need to bridge "home country" units with international metric or imperial units.
Rounding vs exact values: Many everyday estimates round conversion factors to make mental math easier (for example, "1 hectare ā 2.5 acres" instead of the exact 2.47105 acres). The converter uses fixed reference factors and then rounds final outputs for readability, but the underlying calculations are precise.
Regional variability: The same unit name (like bigha or marla) can represent different actual areas depending on the region, state, or even local custom. This is why regional presets are essentialāthey help you get closer to the actual size used in a specific location, though exact legal definitions may still vary.
How to Use the Global Land Area Converter
Mode 1 ā Simple One-to-One Conversion
- Choose your source unit (for example, bigha, kanal, marla, acre, hectare, sq ft, sq m)
- Enter the area value (for example, 5 bigha or 10,000 sq ft)
- Choose your target unit (for example, acres or hectares)
- Click Convert
- Review the converted result and any secondary units the UI shows by default
Use this mode when: You just want a quick conversion from one unit into another, like converting 2 acres to square feet or 5 marla to hectares.
Mode 2 ā "Show All Units" Comparison
- Choose your source unit and enter the land area value
- Enable any "Show all units" or "Full comparison" option in the UI
- Click Convert
- Review a table showing equivalent area in acres, hectares, sq ft, sq m, regional units, etc.
Use this mode when: You want a complete picture of the same plot across many unit systems at once. This is especially useful when preparing listings for international buyers or explaining land size to people who think in different units.
Mode 3 ā Regional Presets (Bigha, Kanal, Marla, etc.)
- Select a regional preset (for example, IndiaāPunjab, IndiaāUttar Pradesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh) if the tool provides it
- Choose a regional unit, like bigha, kattha, kanal, marla, ropani, rai, etc.
- Enter the area value (for example, 2 kanal, 3 bigha)
- Click Convert
- Review equivalent sizes in acres/hectares and other units, based on that region's standard reference size
Use this mode when: You are dealing with local units that vary by location and need a region-specific approximation. Always confirm the exact definition with local authorities for legal purposes.
Mode 4 ā Batch Conversion (If Supported)
- Switch to "Batch" or "Multiple values" mode
- Enter a list of area values in one unit (for example, plot sizes for multiple listings)
- Choose target unit or "show all units" for each row
- Click Convert
- Review a list or table of converted results for quick comparison
Use this mode when: You are evaluating multiple plots or planning larger projects and need to compare many land sizes at once.
Important Reminders:
- Double-check the region and unit selections for regional unitsāselecting the wrong preset can lead to significant differences
- When in doubt, use this as a guide and verify exact sizes with local survey or land records
- For legal purposes, always rely on official surveys and certified measurements
The Math Behind Land Area Conversions: How It Works
Core Idea: Multiplying by a Conversion Factor
Converting between area units is done by multiplying by fixed conversion factors. The general structure is:
Example:
- 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft
- To convert acres to square feet: area_in_sq_ft = area_in_acres Ć 43,560
- To convert square feet to acres: area_in_acres = area_in_sq_ft / 43,560
The converter uses stable reference factors under the hood so users don't have to memorize them or perform manual calculations.
Metric ā Metric Conversions
Key relationships:
- 1 hectare = 10,000 mĀ²
- 1 kmĀ² = 1,000,000 mĀ²
- To go from mĀ² to hectares: hectares = mĀ² / 10,000
- To go from hectares to kmĀ²: kmĀ² = hectares / 100 (since 1 kmĀ² = 100 hectares)
Metric conversions are straightforward because they use powers of 10, making calculations simple and consistent.
Metric ā Imperial Conversions (Conceptual)
Key relationships:
- 1 mĀ² ā 10.7639 ftĀ²
- 1 acre ā 4,046.8564224 mĀ² (commonly rounded to 4,047 mĀ²)
- 1 hectare = 10,000 mĀ² ā 2.47105 acres
To go from hectares to acres:
This simplifies to: acres = hectares Ć 2.47105
The tool uses precise reference factors internally and then rounds final outputs for readability, ensuring accuracy while keeping results practical.
Regional Units (Conceptual)
For units like bigha, ropani, rai, kanal, marla, the tool maps regional definitions to a base unit (usually mĀ²), then converts back out to other units.
Example (conceptual only, not hard-coded):
- If 1 bigha (in a specific region) = X mĀ², then:
- acres = (bigha Ć X mĀ² per bigha) / (4,046.8564 mĀ² per acre)
- Similarly, hectares = (bigha Ć X mĀ² per bigha) / 10,000
Emphasize: Exact values can vary by region, so the tool relies on commonly referenced standard values for that preset. For example, a bigha in Punjab might be defined as approximately 0.25 hectares, while in Uttar Pradesh it might be different. The regional preset ensures you're using the appropriate reference factor for your location.
Worked Example 1: Acres to Square Feet
Problem: Convert 2 acres to square feet
Given:
ā¢ Land size = 2 acres
ā¢ 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft
Calculation:
ā¢ 2 acres = 2 Ć 43,560 = 87,120 sq ft
Interpretation:
A 2-acre plot is about 87,000 square feet of land. This is roughly equivalent to two football fields (each NFL field is about 1.32 acres including end zones).
Worked Example 2: Hectares to Acres
Problem: Convert 1.5 hectares to acres
Given:
ā¢ Land size = 1.5 hectares
ā¢ 1 hectare ā 2.47105 acres
Calculation:
ā¢ 1.5 ha Ć 2.47105 ā 3.7066 acres
ā¢ Rounded to practical precision: ā 3.71 acres
Interpretation:
A 1.5-hectare farm is a bit more than 3.7 acres. This is a common size for small to medium farms and gives you a sense of scale for agricultural planning.
The converter performs this math instantly and can also map into regional units based on chosen presets, handling all the conversion factors automatically so you don't have to remember them.
Real-World Applications: From Property Search to Farm Planning
1. Cross-Border Property Search
Situation: Someone living abroad sees a family plot advertised as "10 marla" or "2 bigha" in their home country, but they think in acres or square feet.
How they use the converter: They plug the number into the Global Land Area Converter, select the appropriate regional preset (for example, Pakistan for marla, IndiaāPunjab for bigha), and view the result in square feet and acres. They finally understand how big the land actually is and can make informed decisions about whether it meets their needs.
Outcome: Clear understanding of land size in familiar units. The person can now compare the property to similar-sized plots in their current country and make better-informed decisions about purchasing or investing.
2. Real Estate Agent Listing Preparation
Situation: An agent prepares listings for buyers who think in acres, while local documents use hectares or kanal/marla.
How they use the converter: The agent uses the converter to show both local and international units side-by-side in marketing materials. They enter the land size in the local unit (for example, 5 kanal), use the "show all units" mode, and include multiple unit equivalents in the listing to appeal to both local and international buyers.
Outcome: More effective marketing that speaks to diverse audiences. Buyers can quickly understand the property size in their preferred unit, reducing confusion and speeding up the decision-making process.
3. Agricultural Planning
Situation: A farmer with fields measured in rai or bigha wants to apply fertilizer rates specified per hectare.
How they use the converter: They convert their land into hectares using the appropriate regional preset. For example, if they have 10 rai (Thailand), they convert to hectares, compute the total fertilizer requirement based on per-hectare rates, and then discuss with their supplier using a clear, shared unit.
Outcome: Accurate planning and cost estimation. The farmer can order the right amount of fertilizer, avoid waste, and communicate clearly with suppliers who use different unit systems.
4. Family Discussion About Land Division
Situation: Relatives in different countries want to divide inherited land fairly. One person sends the area in local units; others need to understand it in familiar terms.
How they use the converter: One relative sends the land size in local units (for example, 20 marla in Pakistan). Others convert it into hectares and acres so everyone can visualize the split. They use the converter to show equivalent sizes and discuss fair division strategies with a shared understanding of the actual land area.
Outcome: Clear communication and fair decision-making. Everyone understands the actual size of the land, making it easier to agree on equitable division or compensation arrangements.
5. Education and Geography Projects
Situation: A student compares the size of different farms or parks around the world for a geography or agriculture project.
How they use the converter: They convert all areas into hectares or kmĀ² for an easy-to-read chart in a school report. For example, they convert a 50-acre park in the US, a 20-hectare farm in Europe, and a 10-bigha field in India all into hectares, creating a consistent comparison that makes the report clear and professional.
Outcome: Professional, easy-to-understand project. The student creates a cohesive comparison that demonstrates understanding of global land measurement systems and their relationships.
6. Land Purchase Cost Estimation
Situation: Someone is evaluating land prices in different countries and needs to compare per-unit costs across different measurement systems.
How they use the converter: They see a listing for land priced at "Rs 50,000 per marla" and another at "$5,000 per acre." They convert both to a common unit (for example, per hectare) using the converter, then compare the actual cost per hectare to make an informed decision about which property offers better value.
Outcome: Accurate cost comparison. The person can make apples-to-apples comparisons of land prices across different countries and unit systems, leading to better investment decisions.
7. Development and Zoning Planning
Situation: A developer is planning a project and needs to understand plot sizes in different units to comply with local regulations and communicate with stakeholders.
How they use the converter: They use batch conversion mode to convert multiple plot sizes from local units (for example, kanal, marla) into hectares and acres. They create a comprehensive table showing all plots in multiple units, making it easy to discuss the project with investors, officials, and contractors who may think in different measurement systems.
Outcome: Efficient project planning and communication. The developer can work seamlessly with diverse stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands the scale and scope of the project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Land Area Conversions
- 1. Confusing Length and Area Units
Treating feet or meters (length) the same as square feet or square meters (area), which can lead to huge numerical errors. For example, 100 feet is a length, but 100 square feet is an areaāthese are completely different measurements. Always ensure you're working with area units (square units) when converting land sizes.
- 2. Mixing Up Squared Units
Forgetting that 1 mĀ² is not the same as 1 m, and that converting area requires squaring the length conversion factor. For example, 1 meter = 3.28084 feet, but 1 square meter = (3.28084)Ā² = 10.7639 square feet. Simply multiplying by the length conversion factor will give you the wrong answer.
- 3. Ignoring Regional Differences
Assuming that bigha, marla, or other regional units have the same size everywhere. In reality, the area can vary significantly by region or state. For example, a bigha in Punjab, India, is different from a bigha in Uttar Pradesh or Nepal. Always select the correct regional preset to get accurate conversions.
- 4. Misreading Decimals and Rounding
Overreacting to small differences caused by rounding, or treating rounded values as exact for legal or engineering work. The converter rounds results for readability, but for precise legal or engineering purposes, you should use exact values and confirm with official surveys. Small rounding differences are normal and expected.
- 5. Entering Units Incorrectly
Choosing "sq ft" when the value is actually in "ft," or selecting the wrong region preset for a bigha-based value. Always double-check that you've selected the correct source unit and regional preset. A small mistake in unit selection can lead to dramatically different results.
- 6. Using the Tool as an Official Measurement
Relying on approximate conversions for legal boundary disputes, tax filings, or exact engineering design without a proper survey. This converter is for planning and understandingāofficial measurements must come from certified surveyors and local land records. Never use converter results for legal purposes without verification.
- 7. Not Verifying Regional Presets
Assuming the regional preset matches exactly how people in your specific district or village define the unit. Regional presets use commonly referenced standard values, but local practice may vary. Always confirm exact definitions with local authorities, especially for legal or official purposes.
- 8. Forgetting to Convert Both Ways
Converting in one direction but not checking the reverse conversion to verify accuracy. If you convert 2 acres to square feet, try converting the result back to acres to ensure you get 2 acres again. This double-check helps catch unit selection errors.
- 9. Overlooking Batch Conversion Errors
When converting multiple values, not checking that all entries use the same source unit. Mixing units in a batch conversion (for example, some values in acres, others in hectares) will produce incorrect results. Always ensure consistency across all entries in batch mode.
- 10. Not Considering Context
Using conversions without considering the context of the measurement. For example, a "plot" might be measured differently in urban vs rural areas, or agricultural land might use different units than residential land. Understanding the context helps you select the appropriate unit and regional preset.
Advanced Strategies: Efficient Land Area Planning and Communication
- 1. Pick One "Anchor" Unit for Comparisons
Choose a primary unit (for example, acres or hectares) and always convert to that first so comparisons between plots become intuitive. If you're evaluating multiple properties, convert them all to the same unitāthis makes it much easier to compare sizes, prices per unit, and make decisions. Having a consistent "anchor" unit reduces mental overhead and prevents confusion.
- 2. Use Full Comparison Mode
Use the "show all units" view to see a plot's size in acres, hectares, and local units at the same time. This comprehensive view helps when negotiating, explaining to others, or preparing documents for diverse audiences. Having all units visible at once makes communication smoother and reduces back-and-forth questions.
- 3. Check Regional Presets with Local Knowledge
Confirm that the preset for units like bigha or marla matches how people in your district or village actually define it. Regional presets use standard reference values, but local practice may vary slightly. When in doubt, ask local real estate agents, surveyors, or land officials to confirm the exact definition used in your area.
- 4. Combine with Other Tools
Pair this converter with tools that calculate plot area from dimensions or GPS coordinates, then convert into whatever units you need. For example, use a Plot Dimension to Area Calculator to find the area from length and width, then use this converter to express it in your preferred units. This workflow streamlines land measurement and planning.
- 5. Use Conversions for Budgeting and Planning
Once land is converted to a standard unit, it becomes easier to apply per-acre or per-hectare cost estimates for fencing, irrigation, development, or other projects. For example, if fencing costs $10 per linear foot and you know your plot is 2 acres, you can estimate perimeter and total fencing costs more accurately. Standard units make cost estimation straightforward.
- 6. Document Your Conversions
Keep records of your conversions, especially when dealing with multiple properties or complex projects. Note which regional preset you used and any assumptions made. This documentation helps with future reference, communication with stakeholders, and ensures consistency across your planning documents.
- 7. Understand When Precision Matters
For rough estimates and comparisons, rounded values are fine. For legal documents, tax filings, or engineering design, you need exact values from official surveys. Use the converter for planning and understanding, but always verify with certified measurements for official purposes. Know when "close enough" is acceptable and when precision is critical.
- 8. Leverage Batch Mode for Efficiency
When evaluating multiple properties or planning large projects, use batch conversion mode to convert all areas at once. This saves time, ensures consistency, and makes it easy to create comparison tables. Batch mode is especially useful for real estate agents preparing listings or developers planning multi-plot projects.
- 9. Build Intuition with Common Comparisons
Learn a few common reference points to build intuition: 1 acre ā 43,560 sq ft (about the size of a football field), 1 hectare ā 2.47 acres, 1 kmĀ² = 247 acres. Having these mental anchors helps you quickly estimate whether a conversion result makes sense and catch potential errors.
- 10. Communicate Clearly Across Cultures
When discussing land with people from different countries or regions, always provide sizes in multiple units. Use the "show all units" mode to generate a comprehensive view, then include the most relevant units in your communication. This practice builds trust, reduces misunderstandings, and makes negotiations smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions About Land Area Conversions
Explore More Land Measurement & Planning Tools
Plot Dimension to Area Calculator
Calculate land area from length and width measurements, then convert the result into acres, hectares, or regional units using this converter.
GPS Coordinate Area Calculator
Compute geodesic area from GPS coordinates for irregular plots, then convert that area into your preferred units for planning and comparison.
Irregular Land Plot Area Calculator
Calculate area for polygons and non-rectangular plots using geometry, then use this converter to express the result in acres, hectares, or regional units.
Boundary Length / Fence Length Calculator
Estimate fencing needs once you understand your plot area and shape, helping you plan perimeter measurements and material costs.
Land Purchase Cost Estimator
Connect land area to estimated purchase and closing costs, using converted area values to calculate total investment and per-unit pricing.