The Master India Land Measurement & Conversion Table
In India, land measurements vary drastically by state and region. While official land mutation and RERA filings use standard metric units (Square Meters and Hectares), local property listings, real estate deals, and local surveys still widely use traditional units like Bigha, Katha, Cent, and Guntha.
| Unit Name | Square Feet (Sq. Ft.) | Acres Equivalent | Commonly Used States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigha (Standard/North) | 27,000 sq ft | 0.62 acre | Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana |
| Biswa | 1,350 sq ft | 0.031 acre | Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh |
| Kanal | 5,445 sq ft | 0.125 acre | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Marla | 272.25 sq ft | 0.00625 acre | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Ghumao | 43,560 sq ft | 1.00 acre | Punjab, Haryana |
| Bigha (Bengal) | 14,400 sq ft | 0.33 acre | West Bengal, Assam, Bihar |
| Katha | 720 sq ft | 0.0165 acre | West Bengal, Assam, Bihar |
| Dhur | 36 sq ft | 0.0008 acre | Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal |
| Chatak | 180 sq ft | 0.0041 acre | West Bengal |
| Cent | 435.6 sq ft | 0.01 acre | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh |
| Ground | 2,400 sq ft | 0.055 acre | Tamil Nadu |
| Guntha | 1,089 sq ft | 0.025 acre | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra |
| Ankanam | 72 sq ft | 0.0016 acre | Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka |
| Bigha (Gujarat) | 17,424 sq ft | 0.40 acre | Gujarat, Rajasthan |
| Kattha (MP) | 600 sq ft | 0.0137 acre | Madhya Pradesh |
| Acre | 43,560 sq ft | 1.00 acre | All India (Standard) |
| Hectare | 107,639 sq ft | 2.47 acre | All India (Standard) |
North India Land Measurements
In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, land is commonly measured in **Bigha**, **Kanal**, and **Marla**.
- Kanal: A standard unit in Punjab and Haryana. 1 Kanal equals 5,445 sq ft (or exactly 1/8th of an acre).
- Marla: Smaller than a Kanal. 1 Kanal equals 20 Marlas (so 1 Marla is 272.25 sq ft).
- Bigha: Its value varies widely. A "Kacha Bigha" is roughly 8,025 sq ft, while a "Pucca Bigha" is 27,000 sq ft.
South India Land Measurements
Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala use a different set of traditional units, including **Cent**, **Ground**, and **Guntha**.
- Cent: Extremely popular across South India. 1 Cent is equal to 435.6 sq ft. 100 Cents make exactly 1 Acre.
- Ground: Mainly used in Tamil Nadu (especially Chennai city real estate). 1 Ground is equal to 2,400 sq ft.
- Guntha: Common in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana. 1 Guntha equals 1,089 sq ft (exactly 1/40th of an acre).
East India Land Measurements
In states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Assam, the most common traditional units are the **Bigha**, **Katha**, and **Dhur**.
- Bigha (Bengal): Standardized under British rule to be exactly 14,400 sq ft (1/3rd of an acre).
- Katha: 1 Bigha is divided into 20 Kathas (so 1 Katha in Bengal equals 720 sq ft).
- Dhur: 1 Katha is divided into 20 Dhurs (so 1 Dhur equals 36 sq ft).
💡 Important Note for Property Buyers:
Always request the official survey records (in Square Meters or Hectares) from the respective state's revenue portal (e.g., Bhulekh, AnyROR, Dharani) before finalizing land transactions. Local conversion factors may sometimes vary by district or tehsil.