Land Measurement (Bigha, Acre)
Revenue & Panchayati Raj · भूमि माप (बीघा, एकड़)
📋Quick Overview
Land measurement in India uses a variety of units depending on the region and state. The standard international unit is Hectare (10,000 sq metres). Acre and Bigha are the most common traditional units, but Bigha varies significantly by state. Revenue officials (Lekhpals/Patwaris) must know conversion factors accurately for land records. Units like Marla, Kanal, Gunta, Cent, Dismil, and Katha are regional units used in different parts of India.
⭐
Key conversion: 1 Hectare = 2.47 Acres; 1 Acre = 43,560 sq feet = 4,840 sq yards ≈ 0.405 hectare. Always remember: Hectare is larger than Acre. 1 sq km = 100 hectares.
📖Land Measurement Units — Complete Table
| Unit | Region | Conversion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hectare (ha) | International/All India | 1 ha = 10,000 sq m = 2.47 acres | Standard SI unit for land |
| Acre | All India | 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft = 4,840 sq yards = 0.405 ha | Most common traditional unit |
| Bigha (Pakka) | UP, Rajasthan, Bihar, MP | UP: 1 bigha = 2530 sq mt (5/8 acre); Rajasthan: 1 bigha ≈ 1618 sq mt | Varies significantly by state! |
| Marla | Punjab, Haryana | 1 Marla = 30.25 sq yards; 20 Marla = 1 Kanal; 8 Kanal = 1 Acre | Used in North-West India |
| Gunta / Guntha | Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP | 40 gunthas = 1 acre; 1 guntha = 101.17 sq meters | South/West India |
| Cent | Tamil Nadu, Kerala | 100 cents = 1 acre; 1 cent = 435.6 sq ft | South India |
| Katha | Bihar, West Bengal | Bihar: 20 katha = 1 bigha; WB: 16 katha = 1 bigha | Varies by state |
| Dismil / Decimal | Bihar, UP | 100 dismil = 1 acre; 1 dismil = 1/100 acre = 435.6 sq ft | Also called 'decimal' |
📝Survey Conversions & Important Values
- •1 sq km = 100 hectares = 247 acres
- •1 sq chain = 404.68 sq meters; 10 sq chains = 1 acre (survey measurement)
- •1 Kanal (Punjab/Haryana) = 20 Marlas = 5445 sq ft = 0.125 acres (1/8 acre)
- •Ground (Tamil Nadu): 1 Ground = 222.96 sq metres ≈ 2400 sq ft; 6 grounds = 1 cent approx.
- •Bigha caution: Always specify state when using 'bigha' as it differs greatly — a bigha in Rajasthan is about half of a bigha in UP
- •Lakh square metres = 1 crore sq cm; 1 acre has approximately 4047 sq metres (4046.86 to be precise)