Bangladesh Land Measurement Converter

How Land Measurement Works in Bangladesh

Land measurement in Bangladesh uses a unique system that blends traditional Bengali units with British colonial measurements and modern metric standards. The most commonly used units are Decimal (also called Shotok or Shotangsho), Katha, and Bigha. When buying or selling land, legal documents typically reference Decimal as the official unit, though everyday conversations often use Katha or Bigha depending on the region. Government records maintained by AC Land offices use Decimal and Acre as standard units, making it essential to convert between local units and official measurements accurately.

The standard conversion chain is straightforward: 1 Acre equals 100 Decimal, 1 Bigha equals approximately 33.33 Decimal (33 Katha), and 1 Katha equals approximately 1.65 Decimal. Understanding these relationships helps you verify land documents, compare property listings, and negotiate prices with confidence. This converter handles all the math instantly so you can focus on making informed decisions about your land purchase or sale.

Common Bangladesh Land Units Explained

Katha (কাঠা): The most popular unit for residential land in urban and semi-urban areas. One standard Katha equals 720 square feet. Property developers and real estate agents across Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet commonly quote plot sizes in Katha. A typical residential plot ranges from 3 to 10 Katha.

Bigha (বিঘা): Widely used for agricultural land across Bangladesh. One standard Bigha equals 33 Katha or approximately 14,400 square feet. Farmers and rural landowners primarily use Bigha when discussing field sizes and crop yields.

Decimal / Shotok (শতক): The official government unit for land registration. One Decimal equals 435.6 square feet. All mutation records, khatian documents, and porcha entries use Decimal. One Decimal is exactly equal to one Shotok — they are the same measurement with different names.

Kani (কানি) and Gonda (গণ্ডা): Traditional units primarily used in Chittagong division. One Kani equals 40 Gonda in the Chittagong standard. These units are still actively used in land transactions across the Chittagong Hill Tracts and coastal areas.

Regional Variations in Land Measurement

Bangladesh has significant regional differences in land measurement that can cause confusion during property transactions. The most notable variation is the Kani unit. In Chittagong, 1 Kani equals 40 Gonda, which is approximately 2.5 Bigha or 1.5 Acres. However, in Sylhet, 1 Kani equals only 20 Gonda — exactly half the Chittagong standard. This means a property listed as "2 Kani" in Chittagong is twice the size of "2 Kani" in Sylhet.

Even the Bigha unit has subtle regional differences. In Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, local Bigha measurements can differ slightly from the standard 33 Katha definition used in Dhaka. When dealing with land in these regions, always verify measurements with the local AC Land office and cross-reference with Decimal values on official documents. The safest approach is to always convert everything to Decimal or Square Feet before making comparisons across different regions.

Tips for Buying Land in Bangladesh

Always verify the land area in Decimal on official documents like RS Khatian, SA Khatian, or City Jorip records. Never rely solely on verbal Katha or Bigha quotes — convert to Decimal and cross-check with the deed (dalil). Hire a licensed surveyor (amin) to physically measure the plot boundaries before finalizing any transaction. Check that the total Decimal matches across the mutation certificate, tax receipt, and sale deed. Use this converter to instantly verify any unit conversions quoted by sellers or agents, and keep a record of your calculations for future reference.