Learn about the most commonly used land measurement units in India, including acres, bighas, yards, and hectares. This easy-to-understand guide covers regional land size variations, plot vs. land comparisons, and handy measurement tables to help you make confident real estate deals.
Land measurement units are ways to measure a piece of land. This is similar to how we measure the length of a room in meters or the weight of an object in kilograms. Just as 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 the location and type of land.
Land Measurements Units
In India, land measurement units vary from state to state. Northern India uses bigha, biswa, marla, kanal, kattha, and other units, while southern India uses ground, cent, ankanam, and guntha. Popular land measurement units in eastern Indian states like West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura are chatak, dhur, kattha, and lecha. In western Indian states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, units like bigha, biswa, and biswansi are very common.
While local measurement systems are still in use, standard units like square feet, acres, square yards (also called gag), square meters, and more are increasingly being adopted across India. In this guide, we’ll explore standard land measurement units and land measurement conversion tables.
List of Land Measurement Units That Are Used In India
1. Acre
The acre is one of the most widely used units of land measurement worldwide. It is particularly important in rural and agricultural land transactions. In India, an acre is equal to 4840 square yards, or approximately 4046.86 square meters. This unit is popular in many areas due to its ease of use, especially for large plots of land.
2. Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit widely used to measure large areas of land, especially in agriculture. One hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters, or approximately 2.47 acres. Although it is less commonly used in urban real estate in India, it remains a preferred land measurement unit for agricultural land and large-scale land transactions.
3. Bigha
The bigha is a traditional land measurement method still used in many parts of India, especially in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The size of a bigha varies greatly from region to region, ranging from approximately 1,600 to 3,025 square yards. It’s important to understand the regional differences in land measurement.
4. Gaj
In North India, the term “gaj” is often used interchangeably with “square yard.” One gaj is equal to 9 square feet. This unit is commonly used to measure small plots or properties, making it a popular term in urban real estate transactions.
5. Square Metre
Square meters is a universal metric unit for measuring area. It’s especially useful for precise, small-scale land measurements. For example, the area of a residential apartment is often expressed in square meters. This is very common and can be easily converted to other units, such as square feet or acres.
6. Square Foot
Square feet are one of the most commonly used units of land measurement, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. One square foot is equal to 144 square inches, or approximately 0.0929 square meters. Its simplicity and familiarity make it a popular measurement for both residential and commercial properties.
7. Square Yard
The square yard (also called gaj), often used in India, is a common way to measure land. A square yard is equal to 9 square feet, or approximately 0.836 square meters. It is widely used in urban areas to measure plots, homes, or small businesses.
8. Katha
The kattha is a regional land measurement method used mostly in eastern India, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Like the bigha, its value varies by region. For example, in Bihar, one kattha is approximately 1361.25 square feet, while in West Bengal, it is equivalent to 720 square feet. It is important to check local standards when purchasing kattha.
9. Guntha
A guntha is a traditional unit of land measurement widely used in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. One guntha is equal to 1089 square feet. It is typically used for medium-sized agricultural or residential areas.
10. Biswa
Biswa is another regional unit of land measurement, used mostly in the northern parts of India, such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The size of a biswa varies from region to region. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, a biswa may equal 48.4 square yards, while in Punjab, it can vary depending on the region.
11. Cent
A cent is a small unit of land measurement used mostly in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. One cent is equal to 435.6 square feet. It is typically used to measure small residential spaces or agricultural land.
12. Decimal
Decimals are a popular unit of land measurement in eastern India, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. One decimal is equal to 48.4 square yards, or approximately 435.6 square feet. This unit is especially useful for small land transactions.
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 surveys and land measurements.
A 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 areas in India use different area measurement units. Therefore, it’s important to understand how land is measured in India, including different land measurement conversions and units, before finalizing a transaction.
Land measurement and administration officers in India
India’s land surveying and administration system has a well-defined hierarchy of officials, each with a distinct role. From bottom to top, the hierarchy is as follows:
Patwari
Patwaris manage land records in villages or towns. Their duties include updating land records, measuring agricultural land, resolving disputes, and maintaining crop records.
Revenue Inspector
Revenue Inspectors supervise Patwaris, and their main responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy of land measurements, certifying mutations, surveying damage caused by natural disasters, preparing inspection reports of boundary marks, etc.
Naib Tehsildar
Next come the Naib Tehsildars, who oversee the work of revenue inspectors and manage two to three revenue circles in a state. They also oversee the inspection and supervision of crop production and regional records. A Naib Tehsildar reports to a Tehsildar, who directly or indirectly oversees the overall maintenance of land records.
Familiarity with different land measurement units can help buyers avoid confusion and ensure transparency. While this article provides a general overview of measurement terms used locally, the actual list of unit names and their values may vary. For accurate information, it’s best to consult a local real estate expert. Additionally, the online land area calculator on 99acres allows for quick and easy conversions between different unit values.
The difference between a plot and a ground
Before purchasing a plot or land, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Although the terms “plot” and “ground” are often used interchangeably, especially in property listings, there is a subtle difference between them. “Plot” generally refers to any piece of land, regardless of size. It’s a general term used to describe land used for various purposes, including residential, commercial, or agricultural use.
On the other hand, “ground” is a specific unit of land measurement often used in South India, especially in states like Tamil Nadu. One ground is equal to 2400 square feet, or 24 “cents.” It’s primarily used to measure land in urban and residential areas.
What is the difference between square meters (sq m) anda hectare?
The terms “square meter” (sq m) and “hectare” are both units of area used around the world, including in India. Here’s the difference:
Square Meter (sq m): This metric unit measures a small area, expressed as one square meter. It’s typically used for precise measurements, such as real estate.
Hectare (ha): This larger unit is used for larger measurements, such as agricultural land. One hectare is approximately 10,000 square meters, or 2.47105 acres..
Conclusion to Land Measurement Units
Overall, this blog will help you understand the different land measurement units used in India. Now that you know how to convert units and what the units are called in different states, having accurate knowledge of these units will help you determine your budget, select a property, and ensure you secure the best deal. To minimize the chance of error, you should use an area calculator.
Read more: Renting a house? Understand these crucial tenant rights
Frequently Asked Questions
Who measures land in India?
The measurement of land or plot is done by officials like Tehsildar, Revenue Inspector and Patwari.
What are the common global land measuring units in India?
Common global land measurement units used in India include acres and hectares
How many Bighas are there in 1 acre?
In most parts of India, one acre is approximately equal to 1.613 bighas. However, this ratio can vary by region, so it’s important to confirm local conversions for land measured in bighas.
What is the unit area of land?
The unit area of land refers to the standard unit used to measure a specific amount of land. In India, this can be acres, hectares, bighas, square feet, or square meters, depending on the area and transaction.
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