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Acre Conversion Table
This comprehensive acre conversion table shows how various units relate to acres. Use this reference for quick conversions between acres and other common area units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Acres to square meters | Square Meters | 4046.86 |
| Acres to square kilometers | Square Kilometers | 0.00404686 |
| Acres to square centimeters | Square Centimeters | 40468600 |
| Acres to square millimeters | Square Millimeters | 4046860000 |
| Acres to hectares | Hectares | 0.404686 |
| Acres to ares | Ares | 40.4686 |
| Acres to square feet | Square Feet | 43560 |
| Acres to square inches | Square Inches | 6272640 |
| Acres to square yards | Square Yards | 4840 |
| Acres to square miles | Square Miles | 0.0015625 |
This acre conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both metric (SI) units and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is an Acre?
The acre is a unit of land area used in the imperial and US customary systems. It is defined as 43,560 square feet, 4,840 square yards, or 1/640 of a square mile. In metric units, one acre equals approximately 4,047 square meters or about 40% of a hectare.
The acre is commonly used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries for measuring land area, particularly in real estate, agriculture, and forestry. Our acre conversion tool helps you easily convert between acres and other units. For example, 1 acre equals 0.4047 hectares or 4,047 square meters.
What is the Definition of an Acre?
An acre is defined as exactly 43,560 square feet or 4,840 square yards. In metric terms, it equals 4,046.8564224 square meters. This definition was established by an international agreement in 1959:
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
- 1 acre = 4,840 square yards
- 1 acre = 0.40468564224 hectares
- 1 acre = 4,046.8564224 square meters
- 1 acre = 1/640 square mile
What are Acres Used For?
Acres are primarily used for measuring land area in countries that use the imperial system. As a standard unit for land measurement, acres are essential for various applications:
Real Estate
Property sizes, lot dimensions, and land listings. For example, a typical suburban lot might be 0.25 acres (about 1,000 square meters).
Agriculture
Farm field sizes, crop yields per acre, and land management. For example, a small family farm might cover 50 acres (about 20 hectares).
Forestry
Timberland area measurements and forest management. For example, a forest preserve might span 500 acres (about 200 hectares).
Urban Planning
Park sizes, zoning regulations, and development projects. For example, a city park might cover 10 acres (about 4 hectares).
Etymology and History
The word "acre" comes from Old English "æcer" and Latin "ager," both meaning "field." Historically, an acre was defined as the area that could be plowed in one day by a yoke of oxen. This traditional definition was approximately 40 rods (660 feet) long and 4 rods (66 feet) wide, giving 43,560 square feet.
The acre was standardized in the 14th century by King Edward I of England. The modern definition, established in 1959 by an international agreement, fixed the acre at exactly 43,560 square feet or 4,046.8564224 square meters. This standardization ensures consistency in land measurement across the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries using the imperial system. The acre remains widely used despite the global trend toward metrication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is an acre 43,560 square feet?
The acre's size of 43,560 square feet originates from medieval English agriculture. It was defined as a rectangular strip of land one furlong (660 feet) long and one chain (66 feet) wide. This dimension represented the area that could be plowed in one day by a yoke of oxen, making it a practical unit for agricultural purposes.
How many acres are in a hectare?
One hectare equals approximately 2.47105 acres. Conversely, one acre equals approximately 0.404686 hectares. This relationship is important when converting between imperial and metric land measurements, especially in international contexts where both systems are used.
What's the difference between an acre and a hectare?
The main difference is their measurement system. An acre is an imperial unit (43,560 square feet), while a hectare is a metric unit (10,000 square meters). A hectare is about 2.47 times larger than an acre. The hectare is more commonly used worldwide, while the acre is primarily used in the US and UK.
How do I convert acres to other units?
Use our acre conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert acres to square feet, multiply by 43,560; to convert acres to hectares, multiply by 0.404686. For detailed instructions on converting acres to square meters, visit our acre to m² converter.
What are common uses for acre conversion?
Acre conversion is essential in real estate (property listings), agriculture (farm sizes), forestry (land management), urban planning (park sizes), and environmental studies (habitat areas). Whether calculating lot dimensions for a house purchase or measuring agricultural yield per acre, our converter tool simplifies these tasks.
How does acre conversion differ from other area units?
The acre is specifically designed for land measurement and has historical agricultural significance. Unlike square meters or square feet which are general area units, the acre represents a practical amount of cultivable land. This makes acre conversion particularly important in real estate and land management, where it serves as a standard reference for property sizes.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in acres?
Yes, our acre converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For small plots, convert square feet to acres (1 sq ft = 0.0000229568 acres). For large estates, convert acres to square miles (1 sq mile = 640 acres). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your acre conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our acre conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise land measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from homeowners calculating lot sizes to farmers managing agricultural land.