Land Measurement Units in India: Bigha, Acre, Gaj & More
Buying land in India means running into words like bigha, acre, gaj, marla, katha and guntha, often in the same conversation. Each state has its own favourites, and the same word can mean different areas in different places. This guide explains the common land measurement units in India, with clear conversions, so you never sign for a plot without knowing exactly how big it is.
Why land units are so confusing in India
India uses a mix of standard units, like square feet and square metres, and traditional regional units that vary by state. A bigha in Rajasthan is not the same size as a bigha in West Bengal. A local dealer may quote in gaj, the registry may record in square metres, and your loan file may use square feet. Knowing how to convert between them protects you from paying for less land than you think.
The standard units
These are fixed everywhere:
| Unit | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 square yard (gaj) | 9 square feet |
| 1 square metre | 10.76 square feet |
| 1 acre | 43,560 square feet, or 4,840 square yards |
| 1 hectare | 10,000 square metres, or about 2.47 acres |
The common regional units
These vary by state, so treat the figures as the widely used values and always confirm locally:
| Unit | Common value | Mainly used in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bigha | Varies widely, often 17,000 to 27,000 sq ft | North India, Rajasthan, UP, Bihar, Bengal |
| 1 marla | 272.25 sq ft | Haryana, Punjab |
| 1 kanal | 5,445 sq ft (20 marla) | Haryana, Punjab |
| 1 guntha | 1,089 sq ft | Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| 1 katha | Varies, around 720 to 1,360 sq ft | Bihar, Bengal, Assam |
| 1 cent | 435.6 sq ft | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra |
| 1 ground | 2,400 sq ft | Tamil Nadu |
The units that always add up to an acre
A handy way to remember some units is by how many make an acre:
- 40 guntha make 1 acre.
- 8 kanal (160 marla) make 1 acre.
- 100 cent make 1 acre.
- 4,840 square yards make 1 acre.
These fixed relationships help you sanity-check any deal quoted in these units.
Why bigha is the trickiest
Bigha causes the most confusion because it has no single national value. In parts of Rajasthan a pucca bigha is around 27,225 sq ft while a kaccha bigha is smaller. In West Bengal a bigha is about 14,400 sq ft, and in Gujarat around 17,424 sq ft. So a plot described as one bigha can differ a lot depending on the state. Never accept a bigha figure without confirming the local value and the exact square feet.
How to protect yourself
Whatever unit a seller quotes, always get the area in square feet or square metres in writing, and match it against the registry and the approved layout. Measure or verify the actual dimensions on the ground. This care is part of the wider due diligence in our document verification checklist, and it matters most when buying plots and land, where a small conversion error can cost lakhs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common land measurement units in India?
The standard units are square feet, square yards (gaj), square metres, acres and hectares. Common regional units include bigha, marla, kanal, guntha, katha, cent and ground, which vary by state.
How many square feet are in 1 acre?
One acre equals 43,560 square feet, or 4,840 square yards, or about 4,047 square metres, or roughly 0.405 hectares.
How many square feet is 1 bigha?
It varies by state, commonly between about 17,000 and 27,000 square feet. Rajasthan pucca bigha is around 27,225 sq ft, West Bengal about 14,400 sq ft, and Gujarat around 17,424 sq ft. Always confirm the local value.
How many square feet is 1 gaj?
One gaj, or square yard, equals 9 square feet. So a 100 gaj plot is 900 square feet.
How many marla make an acre?
160 marla make one acre, since one marla is 272.25 square feet and one acre is 43,560 square feet. Twenty marla make one kanal, and eight kanal make an acre.
What is a guntha?
A guntha is a unit used in Maharashtra and Karnataka, equal to 1,089 square feet. Forty guntha make one acre.
What is a cent in land measurement?
A cent is used in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, equal to 435.6 square feet. One hundred cent make one acre.
Why is it important to know land units before buying?
Because units vary by state and a seller may quote in a local unit. Converting to square feet and matching it with the registry ensures you get the exact land you pay for and avoid costly mistakes.
Land units in India are a patchwork of national and regional measures, and the safest habit is simple: convert everything to square feet, get it in writing, and verify it against the papers and the ground. Do that, and no dealer's local unit can catch you out. A good habit is to carry a simple conversion note on your phone when you visit sites, so you can translate any unit on the spot and cross-check it against the papers before you show any real interest. If you need help checking a plot's real size, our team is glad to assist.
