What is Area?

Area is a measure of the extent of a two-dimensional surface. It quantifies the amount of space inside the boundary of a flat object. The standard unit of area in the International System of Units (SI) is the square meter (m²). Calculating area is fundamental to countless fields, including architecture, engineering, agriculture, and real estate. Whether you are buying a carpet, planning a farm, or designing a building, you need a reliable way to measure and compare area.

Global Systems: Metric vs. Imperial

The world primarily uses two major systems for area measurement.

• The Metric System: Based on the meter, this system is used by most of the world. Common units include the Square Meter (m²), Square Kilometer (km²), and the Hectare (ha), which is equal to 10,000 square meters and is commonly used for measuring large plots of land.
• The Imperial System: Primarily used in the United States, this system includes units like the Square Inch (in²), Square Foot (ft²), Square Yard (yd²), and the Acre. The acre is a common unit for measuring land.

Traditional Indian Units of Land Measurement

In India, alongside metric units, several traditional units are still widely used for land measurement, especially in rural areas. These units can vary significantly in size from one state to another, which makes a standardized converter essential.

• Bigha: A very popular unit in North India. Its size can range from about 1,600 square meters in some regions to over 2,500 square meters in others. Our calculator uses a common standard of approximately 2508 m².
• Guntha: Commonly used in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. One Guntha is typically equal to 101.17 square meters, and 40 Gunthas make up one Acre.
• Acre: Although originally an imperial unit, the Acre is widely used and understood across India as a standard measure for large tracts of agricultural and residential land. One Acre is equal to approximately 4047 square meters.

Understanding these local units is crucial when dealing with real estate transactions in many parts of India.

How Unit Conversion Works

To convert between any two units of area, you must use a "conversion factor." The most reliable method is to first convert the original unit into a standard base unit (like the square meter) and then convert from that base unit to your desired target unit.

Value in Base Unit = Value in Old Unit × Conversion Factor to Base

Value in New Unit = Value in Base Unit / Conversion Factor from Base

For example, to convert 2 Acres to Bighas:

1. Convert Acres to the base unit (m²): 2 Acres × 4046.86 m²/Acre = 8093.72 m².
2. Convert m² to the target unit (Bighas): 8093.72 m² / 2508.38 m²/Bigha ≈ 3.23 Bighas.

Our calculator stores these conversion factors and performs the calculations for you instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I use the Area Converter?

First, select the category of measurement you want to convert (e.g., Length, Temperature). Then, choose your "From" and "To" units from the dropdown menus. Enter a value in either the "From" or "To" input box, and the other box will update with the converted value in real-time.

2. Why does the value of a Bigha vary?

The Bigha is a traditional unit that was never standardized at a national level. Its value was often based on local customs and historical land survey practices, leading to different sizes in different states and even different districts.