Have you ever tried to buy land in Bangladesh and found yourself completely confused by terms like "decimal," "katha," or "bigha"? You’re not alone. The way land is measured here is a maze—especially if you’re trying to convert between units used in Dhaka and those in rural areas. So, let’s sit down, grab a cup of tea, and walk through everything you need to know about Bangladesh land area unit conversion. No fluff. Just real talk with real examples.
Let’s be honest—land measurement in Bangladesh is a total mix of traditional, regional, and modern systems. What makes it tricky is that the same unit name can mean different sizes depending on where you are. A bigha in one part of the country doesn’t always match a bigha somewhere else. Even worse? The official records often use acres or square feet while the local sellers talk in decimals, kathas, and shatak.
This mismatch creates confusion, misunderstandings, and sometimes even legal disputes. That’s why understanding land unit conversions is not just helpful—it’s necessary if you’re buying, selling, or investing in land here.
Before diving into conversions, let’s get familiar with the most-used units in Bangladesh land dealings. You’ll often hear:
Decimal
Katha
Bigha
Acre
Square Feet
Square Meter
Hectare
These are the core players in any land conversation, and each has its own place depending on location and formality. For instance, real estate in Dhaka is typically listed in square feet or kathas, while agricultural land in rural areas might be measured in bighas and decimals.
If there’s one unit that stands out in Bangladesh, it’s the decimal. One decimal is equal to 435.6 square feet. Simple enough, right? Now, here’s the thing—decimals are widely used by land offices and official records, which makes them the go-to for any legal paperwork.
So, when you’re working with government documents, it’s smart to convert everything into decimals to avoid confusion.
Ah, the beloved katha. Commonly used in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other urban areas, one katha equals 1.65 decimals, or around 720 square feet in many places. But again, here’s where it gets annoying—it’s not always consistent.
For example, in Rajshahi, a katha might mean something slightly different. So always double-check based on location. Still, as a ballpark figure, 1 katha = 720 square feet is what most people use.
When people talk about larger pieces of land, they often switch to bighas. A bigha is used more in villages or for measuring agricultural land. In most parts of Bangladesh:
1 bigha = 33 decimals, which equals 14,400 square feet.
Some regions might stretch or shrink that definition, but the 33-decimal rule is usually safe for general use. If someone says they own 2 bighas, you’re looking at about 28,800 square feet.
If you’re dealing with developers, real estate companies, or modern landowners, they’ll often use square feet or square meters. These units are straightforward, globally understood, and perfect for urban plots or apartment listings.
Just so you’re clear:
1 square meter = 10.7639 square feet
1 decimal = 435.6 square feet
So, if a plot is 2,000 square feet, that’s about 4.59 decimals.
Now, for those eyeing larger investments or agricultural land, acres and hectares will show up in the conversation. Here’s how it breaks down:
1 acre = 100 decimals = 43,560 square feet
1 hectare = 2.471 acres = 247.1 decimals
These units usually appear in formal land titles or government reports. If you’re buying land for commercial farming or large development projects, this is where the big numbers live.
Let’s make this painless. Here are the most practical conversion hacks for Bangladesh land area unit conversion:
1 decimal = 435.6 sq ft
1 katha = 1.65 decimals = 720 sq ft
1 bigha = 33 decimals = 14,400 sq ft
1 acre = 100 decimals
1 hectare = 2.471 acres
Once you know these base conversions, you can flip between units like a pro. You could even use online tools like UnitConverters.net for quick calculations.
You’d think land measurements would be the same across the country—but nope. The unit sizes can shift slightly depending on whether you’re in Dhaka, Sylhet, or Khulna. That’s why when converting units, always ask locals or consult with a local surveyor.
If you're working in Rajshahi or Rangpur, a katha might be 1.62 decimals instead of 1.65. It sounds small, but those decimals add up when buying multiple kathas.
In this age of smartphones and Google Sheets, don’t rely on rough math or verbal agreements. Use online tools and apps to handle conversions on the spot. There are calculators available on several real estate websites, and apps like Land Calculator Bangladesh can save you tons of time and effort.
These tools let you plug in numbers and switch between units with a tap. It’s not just convenient—it also helps avoid costly mistakes.
Before making any land deal, always do a land survey. It’s your best shot at confirming the actual size and boundaries of the land. Surveyors use official measurement tools and help map everything properly—especially helpful when the size in the deed doesn’t match what’s on the ground.
Even if the seller promises “10 kathas,” a survey might reveal it’s more like 9.2. That’s a big difference in urban land pricing!
If you're thinking about buying a flat, building a house, or investing in agricultural land, this stuff matters—a lot. You don’t want to overpay just because you didn’t understand what a “decimal” meant. Knowing how to convert units puts you in control and helps you spot red flags early.
For investors looking at long-term growth, these unit conversions are key to comparing land value across different regions of Bangladesh.
Let’s not forget the legal angle. Your property registration, tax payment, and land mutation all depend on the accurate recording of your land’s size. If your document says 50 decimals but you only own 45, good luck trying to sell or transfer that property later.
Always match the actual measurement with what’s in your records. It’ll save you a world of legal headaches down the road.
Land is expensive, and once you pay, there’s no turning back. So don’t take anyone’s word at face value. Whether it’s a broker, seller, or even a friend—check, double-check, and re-confirm all measurements with reliable tools and professionals.
A lot of land scams in Bangladesh happen because buyers don’t understand what they’re buying. Don’t let that happen to you.
Understanding Bangladesh land area unit conversion isn’t just about knowing the math—it’s about protecting your investment. Whether you’re buying one katha in Dhaka or ten bighas in Pabna, knowing how to measure, compare, and verify land size puts you in the driver’s seat.
So next time someone tells you the plot is “10 decimals,” don’t just nod along. Ask smart questions. Convert the units. And make sure you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
