If you've ever tried to compare two plots of land in India, you've probably hit a confusing wall: a bigha in one state is a completely different size in another. This guide explains why, gives you a state-wise conversion chart, and shows how to convert any traditional Indian land unit accurately.
Why does a bigha vary by state?
Unlike the acre or hectare, the bigha is a traditional unit with no single national standard. Its size was set by local custom and revenue practice, so it differs widely from state to state — and sometimes even between "pucca" (larger) and "kachha" (smaller) bigha within the same region.
Standard reference units
It helps to anchor everything to the standardised units:
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
- 1 acre = 4,047 square metres = about 0.405 hectare
- 1 acre = 100 cents
- 1 hectare = 2.47 acres
State-wise bigha conversion chart
Approximate values for common states (always confirm with local revenue records):
| State | 1 Bigha ≈ sq ft | 1 Bigha ≈ acre |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh (pucca) | 27,000–32,400 | 0.62–0.74 |
| Rajasthan (pucca) | ~17,424 | ~0.40 |
| Bihar | ~27,220 | ~0.625 |
| West Bengal | ~14,400 | ~0.33 |
| Madhya Pradesh | ~12,000 | ~0.275 |
| Haryana / Punjab | ~27,225 | ~0.625 |
Because of these differences, the same word "bigha" can mean roughly a third of an acre in West Bengal but nearly three-quarters of an acre in parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Other Indian land units
- Katha / Biswa — sub-units of a bigha, common in north and east India.
- Guntha — common in Maharashtra and Karnataka; 1 guntha = 1,089 sq ft, and 40 guntha = 1 acre.
- Cent — common in south India; 100 cents = 1 acre.
- Ground — used in Tamil Nadu; 1 ground = 2,400 sq ft.
How to convert quickly
Rather than memorising every factor, use our Land Measurement Converter. Enter a value, pick the units (and state where relevant), and it does the conversion instantly — useful when comparing property listings or verifying paperwork.
Important: For any legal, registration or transaction purpose, always confirm areas against official local revenue records. Conversion charts are for quick comparison only.