Acres to Hectares Converter
Convert acres to hectares easily and accurately.
Convert Acres to Hectares
Table of Contents
Understanding Acres and Hectares
The Historical Origins of Acres
The acre has deep historical roots dating back to medieval times. Originally, an acre represented the area of land that could be plowed in one day by one man with a team of eight oxen. This practical definition explains why the acre became such an important unit in agricultural societies.
In medieval England, the acre was legally defined as a strip of land 1 furlong (660 feet) in length and 1 chain (66 feet) in width, giving us the modern equivalent of 43,560 square feet. The dimensions were based on practical farming considerations - the furlong represented the optimal length for plowing before the oxen needed to rest, while the width allowed for efficient turning of the plow team.
Key Facts About Acres:
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
- 1 acre = 4,840 square yards
- 1 acre = 1/640 of a square mile
- Still widely used in the US, UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries
- Traditional unit in the imperial and US customary measurement systems
Historical Acre Variants:
- Irish acre = 7,840 square yards (larger than standard)
- Scottish acre = 6,150 square yards (larger than standard)
- Cheshire acre = 10,240 square yards (much larger)
- Roman acre = approximately 1,260 square meters
The Development of the Hectare
The hectare, in contrast to the acre, is a product of the metric system developed during the French Revolution. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the basic unit of land measurement was defined as the "are" (100 square meters). The hectare (meaning "hundred ares") was created as a practical larger unit equal to 10,000 square meters.
Unlike the irregular conversion values associated with imperial measurements, the hectare fits perfectly into the decimal-based metric system. One hectare equals exactly 100 meters by 100 meters (a square hectometer), making calculations significantly simpler. It's now the standard unit of land measurement in most countries that use the metric system.
Key Facts About Hectares:
- 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters
- 1 hectare = 100 m × 100 m (a square hectometer)
- 1 square kilometer = 100 hectares
- Standard unit in most countries using the metric system
- Non-SI unit officially accepted for use with SI units
Related Metric Area Units:
- Are = 100 square meters (0.01 hectare)
- Decare = 1,000 square meters (0.1 hectare)
- Centiare = 1 square meter (0.0001 hectare)
- Square kilometer = 100 hectares
Practical Applications and Global Usage
The choice between acres and hectares often reflects regional history and regulatory frameworks. Acres remain common in countries with historical ties to the British Empire, particularly for agricultural and real estate purposes. Meanwhile, hectares are standard in countries that have fully adopted the metric system.
In international contexts, both units are often used alongside each other, with hectares being preferred for scientific, governmental, and international development work. Understanding the conversion between these two units is essential for:
- Agriculture: Farm size comparison, crop yield calculations, and agricultural subsidies
- Real Estate: International property transactions and land development projects
- Environmental Management: Conservation areas, forestry management, and habitat restoration
- Urban Planning: Zoning regulations, parkland allocations, and infrastructure development
In visual terms, a football (soccer) field is approximately 0.7 hectares or 1.76 acres, while an American football field (including end zones) covers about 1.32 acres or 0.53 hectares. These familiar reference points can help conceptualize these land measurement units.
While many countries have officially transitioned to hectares, the acre remains culturally embedded in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. In these regions, land is often legally measured in acres, but international reporting may require conversion to hectares.
How to Convert Acres to Hectares
To convert acres to hectares, follow these steps:
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1Enter the number of acres you want to convert
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2Click the Convert button
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3View the result in hectares
1 acre = 0.404686 hectares
To convert acres to hectares, multiply the number of acres by 0.404686
Common Examples
Example 1 1 Acre
1 acre = 0.404686 hectares
Example 2 5 Acres
5 acres = 2.02343 hectares
Example 3 10 Acres
10 acres = 4.04686 hectares
Example 4 100 Acres
100 acres = 40.4686 hectares