Acres ↔ Square Feet ↔ Hectares Converter
Convert acres to square feet, square meters, and hectares.
| Acres | Sq Ft | Hectares |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | 10,890 | 0.1012 |
| 0.5 | 21,780 | 0.2023 |
| 1 | 43,560 | 0.4047 |
| 2 | 87,120 | 0.8094 |
| 5 | 217,800 | 2.0234 |
| 10 | 435,600 | 4.0469 |
How It Works
Enter a value in any field — acres, square feet, or hectares — and all other fields update instantly. The reference table shows common land sizes in all three units so you can quickly compare without typing.
Conversion Formulas
Where Does 43,560 Come From?
The acre is defined as the area of a rectangle 1 furlong (660 feet) long and 1 chain (66 feet) wide — originally the amount of land one man with an ox could plow in a day. Multiplying 660 × 66 = 43,560 square feet. The unit dates to medieval England and remains the standard land measurement in the United States, United Kingdom, and several other countries.
Common Land Size Reference
| Description | Acres | Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| Small urban lot | 0.10 | 4,356 |
| Typical suburban lot | 0.20 | 8,712 |
| Large residential lot | 0.50 | 21,780 |
| 1 acre | 1.00 | 43,560 |
| 5 acres (small farm) | 5.00 | 217,800 |
| Football field (including end zones) | 1.32 | 57,600 |
When You Need This Conversion
- Property purchases: Deeds and MLS listings in the US use acres; buyers need sq ft for quick mental comparison with home lot dimensions.
- International real estate: Most countries outside the US use hectares. Investors comparing international and US land holdings need both.
- Agriculture: Farm size, yield calculations, and irrigation planning use acres in the US and hectares internationally.
- Zoning and permits: Local ordinances often specify minimum lot sizes in acres while building permits list in square feet.
- Landscaping: Large landscaping projects quote labor and materials in acres; smaller areas use square feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet in an acre?
Exactly 43,560 square feet. This is defined as 1 chain × 1 furlong = 66 ft × 660 ft = 43,560 sq ft. A square acre would be approximately 208.7 feet on each side.
How many acres in a hectare?
1 hectare = 2.47105 acres. A hectare is 10,000 square meters (100m × 100m), which is slightly smaller than 2.5 acres. The hectare is the standard land unit in the metric system and used in most countries outside the US.
How big is an acre visually?
An acre is roughly 90% of an American football field (which is about 1.32 acres including end zones). It is approximately the area enclosed by a square about 208.7 feet (63.6 meters) on each side. A standard city block in most US cities is about 2–5 acres depending on the city.
What is the difference between an acre and a square acre?
An acre is a unit of area (43,560 sq ft) with no required shape. A "square acre" is an informal term for an acre arranged as a square, roughly 208.7 ft × 208.7 ft. In practice, lots can be any shape — narrow rectangles, L-shapes, or irregular polygons — and still measure exactly 1 acre in area.