Land measurement units are ways to figure out how big a piece of land is. It's similar to how we measure the length of a room in meters or the weight of something in kilograms. Just like there are different ways to measure things like length and weight, there are also different ways to measure land. Different countries and even different parts of the same country use different units to measure land, depending on where it is or what kind of land it is.

List of Land Measurement Units That Are Used In India

1. Acre

An acre is one of the most commonly used land measurement units globally. It is particularly significant in rural and agricultural land transactions. In India, one acre is equivalent to 4840 square yards or approximately 4046.86 square metres. This unit is popular across regions due to its straightforward application, particularly for larger plots of land.

2. Hectare

The hectare is a metric unit widely used to measure large tracts of land, especially in agriculture. One hectare equals 10,000 square metres or approximately 2.47 acres. While it is less commonly used in urban real estate in India, it remains a preferred land measurement unit for farmland and large-scale land deals.

3. Bigha

Bigha is a traditional unit of land measurement still used in many parts of India, especially in the northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The size of a bigha varies significantly across regions, from approximately 1600 to 3025 square yards. Understanding regional variations is essential when dealing with land measured in bighas.

4. Gaj

The term "Gaj" is often used in North India as a substitute for "square yard". One Gaj equals 9 square feet. This unit is commonly used for measuring smaller plots or properties, making it a popular term in urban real estate transactions.

5. Square Metre

The square metre is a universal metric unit for measuring area. It is particularly useful for precise and small-scale land measurements. For example, a residential apartment's area is often denoted in square metres. It is widely accepted and easily convertible to other units like square feet or acres.

6. Square Foot

Especially in urban and semi-urban areas, square foot is one of the most often used land measurement units. One square foot is equivalent to 144 square inches, or almost 0.0929 square meters. Its simplicity and familiarity make it rather popular for measurements of both residential and business properties.

7. Square Yard

Often used in India, square yard (also known as Gaj) is a conventional land measurement unit. One square yard is equivalent to 9 square feet or around 0.836 square meters. It is extensively used for measuring plots, homes, or small businesses in urban settings.

8. Katha

Katha is a regional land measurement unit predominantly used in Eastern India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Like bigha, its value varies by region. For instance, one katha in Bihar is approximately 1361.25 square feet, while in West Bengal, it equals 720 square feet. It is crucial to check local standards when dealing with katha.

9. Guntha

Guntha is a traditional unit of land measurement widely used in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. One guntha equals 1089 square feet. It is commonly used for medium-sized agricultural or residential plots.

10. Biswa

Biswa is another regional land measurement unit predominantly used in northern parts of India like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The size of one biswa varies across regions. For instance, one biswa in Uttar Pradesh may equal 48.4 square yards, while in Punjab, it can differ based on the locality.

11. Cent

A cent is a small land measurement unit used mainly in Southern India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. One cent equals 435.6 square feet. It is commonly used for measuring smaller residential or agricultural plots.

12. Decimal

Decimal is a land measurement unit popular in Eastern India, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. One decimal equals 48.4 square yards or approximately 435.6 square feet. This unit is especially useful for smaller land deals.

Common land measurement table

Unit of Area	Conversion Unit
1 Square Feet (sq ft)	144 square inches
1 Square Centimeter (sq cm)	Approximately 0.00107639 sq ft
1 Square Inch (sq in)	Approximately 0.0069444 sq ft
1 Square Kilometer (sq km)	Approximately 247.1 acres
1 Square Meter (sq m)	Approximately 10.764 sq ft
1 Square Mile	640 acres or 259 hectares
1 Square Yard (sq yd)	9 sq ft
1 Acre	4840 sq yd or 100.04 cents
1 Hectare	Approximately 10,000 sq m or 2.49 acres

These conversions are commonly used for property and land survey measurements.

Few common conversions for land measurement

1 acre in bigha	1 acre = 1.613 bigha
bigha to acre	1 Bigha = 0.619 acres
acre to bigha	1 Acre = 1.613 bigha
1 hectare into bigha	1 Hectare = 3.953 bigha
1 bigha in square feet	1 Bigha = 27,000 sqft
1 bigha in gaj	1 Bigha = 3057.68 gaj

Common land measurement units

North India

Units	States	Conversion
1 Bigha	Parts of Himachal Pradesh (HP), Uttarakhand	1210 sqyd
1 Biswa	Parts of HP, Uttarakhand	48.4 sqyd
1 Biswansi	UP, Punjab, Haryana, HP, Uttarakhand	1/20 Biswa1 Biswa = 20 Biswansis
1 Killa/1 Ghumaon	Parts of Haryana, Punjab, HP	4840 sqyd
1 Kanal	JK, Punjab, HP, Haryana	5445 sqft8 Kanals = 1 Acre

South India

1 Ankanam	Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka	72 sqft,1 Acre = 605 Ankanams
1 Cent	Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka	435.6 sqft
1 Ground	Parts of Tamil Nadu	2400 sqft
1 Guntha	Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka	1089 sqft
1 Kuncham	Andhra Pradesh	484 sqyd,1 Kuncham = 10 cents

East India

1 Chatak	West Bengal	180 sqft
1 Decimal	West Bengal	48.4 sqyd1 Acre = 100 decimals
1 Dhur	Bihar, Jharkhand	68.0625 sqft
1 Kattha	Assam	2880 sqft,1 Bigha = 5 Katthas
1 Kattha	Bengal	720 sqft,1 Bigha = 20 Katthas
1 Kattha	Bihar	1361.25 sqft,1 Bigha = 20 Katthas
1 Lecha	Assam	20 Lechas = 1 Kattha

West India

1 Bigha	Bihar, parts of Rajasthan	Pucca 3025 sqyd
1 Bigha	Gujarat, parts of Rajasthan	1936 sqyd
1 Biswa	Upper parts of Rajasthan	Pucca 151.25 sqyd
1 Biswa	Lower parts of Rajasthan	96.8 sqyd
1 Biswansi	Rajasthan	1/20 Biswa,1 Biswa = 20 Biswansis

Central India

1 Bigha	Parts of Madhya Pradesh	1333.33 sqyd
1 Kattha	Madhya Pradesh	1 Bigha (MP) = 20 Kathas, 600 sqft

Different regions across India use different area measurement units. Hence, it's advisable to understand how to measure land using various land measurement conversions before finalising transactions.

Difference between a plot and a ground

Before purchasing a plot or land(ground) it is important to understand the difference between the two. While the terms "plot" and "ground" are often used interchangeably, especially in the context of property listings, there is a subtle difference between them. A "plot" typically refers to any piece of land, regardless of size. It is a general term used to describe land for various purposes, including residential, commercial, or agricultural use.

On the other hand, a "ground" is a specific land measurement unit often used in South India, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu. One ground is equivalent to 2400 square feet or 24 "cents." It is primarily used for measuring land in urban and residential contexts.

What is the difference between square meter (sq m) and hectare?

The terms "square meter" (sq m) and "hectare" are both units of area measurement used globally, including in India. Here's the difference between them:

Square Meter (sq m): Square Meter (sq m): This metric unit measures a small area, defined by a one-meter square. It's commonly used for precise measurements like real estate.

Hectare (ha): This larger unit is used for broader measurements, like agricultural land. One hectare equals about 10,000 square meters or 2.47105 acres.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who measures land in India?

Ans: Land or plot measurement is done by officers such as Tehsildars, Revenue Inspectors, and Patwaris.

2. What are common global land measuring units in India?

Ans: Common global land measuring units referenced in India include Acre and Hectare.

3. How many Bighas are there in 1 acre?

Ans: In most parts of India, one acre equals approximately 1.613 bighas. However, this ratio can vary depending on the region, so it’s important to confirm local conversions when dealing with land measured in bighas.

4. What is the unit area of land?

Ans: The unit area of land refers to the standard unit used to measure a specific parcel. In India, this could be acres, hectares, bighas, square feet, or square metres, depending on the region and the context of the transaction.

5. What is RA in land measurement?

Ans: RA, short for "Ropani and Ana", is a traditional land measurement unit used in parts of Nepal. While not commonly used in India, understanding it can be relevant in cross-border land transactions involving Nepal.

6. How to calculate land size?

Ans: To calculate land size, identify the measurement unit (e.g., square feet, acres) and ensure the dimensions are consistent. Multiply the length and width if the land is rectangular. For irregular plots, divide the area into triangles, calculate each separately using geometry, and sum them up. Tools like online area converters can also simplify this process.

7. What is Gaj called in English?

Ans: In English, "Gaj" is referred to as a "square yard". It is a commonly used land measurement unit in North India for measuring land or property.

8. What is 5 bigha equal to?

Ans: The area of 5 bighas depends on the region. For example, in Bihar, 5 bighas might equal approximately 15125 square feet. However, this land measurement unit varies widely across states, so verifying local standards is crucial.

9. How many plots are there in 1 acre?

Ans: The number of plots in one acre depends on the size of individual plots. For instance, if each plot is 1000 square feet, there would be approximately 43 plots in one acre (1 acre = 43,560 square feet).

10. What is a good land to building ratio?

Ans: A good land-to-building ratio varies by purpose. For residential properties, a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 (land area to built-up area) is generally considered ideal. For commercial properties, a higher built-up ratio is often preferred to maximise utility.

List of Land Measurement Units In India: Tables, Conversions And More

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