You are looking at a land parcel listed as "1 Ropani 4 Anna." A bank is asking for the area in square feet for a loan application. A relative in the Terai is describing their farm in Kattha and you need to understand how large it is in hectares.
The Land Area Calculator converts between all of Nepal's traditional land units and standard international units — instantly. It uses square metres as the base and applies fixed conversion factors consistent with government cadastral standards.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for estimation and planning only. It is not a substitute for official survey or lalpurja documentation. Land area for legal, tax, registration, or property transaction purposes must be confirmed through the survey office (naapi) or the Land Revenue Office. Local variations and old deeds may not use the exact standard figures applied here.
Why Nepal Has Two Traditional Land Measurement Systems
Nepal's geography created two distinct land measurement traditions:
The Ropani system developed in the hilly and mountainous regions — Kathmandu Valley, Dhading, Sindhupalchok, and most of Nepal's mid-hills. Land in hills is often terraced and irregular, so traditional measures reflect that. Ropani parcels tend to be smaller.
The Bigha system developed in the Terai (lowland) plains, where large, flat agricultural plots were measured by larger units. The Terai's farming economy required units suited to paddyfields and farmsteads spanning many stripes of flat land.
Both systems are still in active daily use. When you buy land in Kathmandu, the deed will likely be in Ropani-Anna-Paisa-Dam. When you buy land in Chitwan or Morang, it will be in Bigha-Kattha-Dhur. Both are recorded on the lalpurja (land ownership certificate). Understanding both systems — and being able to convert between them — is useful for anyone dealing with Nepali property.
The Ropani System: Hills and Mountain Regions
The Ropani system divides land into four hierarchical units:
| Unit | Square Metres | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dam | 1.99 | Smallest unit |
| 1 Paisa | 7.95 | 4 Dam = 1 Paisa |
| 1 Anna | 31.80 | 4 Paisa = 1 Anna |
| 1 Ropani | 508.74 | 16 Anna = 1 Ropani |
The hierarchy: 4 Dam = 1 Paisa → 4 Paisa = 1 Anna → 16 Anna = 1 Ropani
One Ropani (508.74 sq m) is approximately 5,476 square feet (508.74 ÷ 0.092903). This is the figure used in the FAQ below and on most Nepali real estate platforms for Kathmandu Valley land listings.
A typical residential plot in Kathmandu might be 4–8 Anna (roughly 127–254 sq m). Large properties might be listed in Ropani. Very small parcels — a slice of agricultural terrace, or a right-of-way — might be described in Paisa or Dam.
The Bigha System: Terai and Lowland Regions
The Bigha system uses three main units:
| Unit | Square Metres | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dhur | 16.93 | Smallest common unit |
| 1 Kattha | 338.63 | 20 Dhur = 1 Kattha |
| 1 Bigha | 6,772.63 | 20 Kattha = 1 Bigha |
The hierarchy: 20 Dhur = 1 Kattha → 20 Kattha = 1 Bigha
One Bigha (6,772.63 sq m) is a substantial agricultural plot — roughly 1.67 acres. Most Terai farmland transactions deal in Kattha and Bigha. Smaller plots are measured in Dhur.
International and Metric Units
For comparison, bank documentation, and dealing with foreign buyers or institutions:
| Unit | Square Metres |
|---|---|
| 1 sq ft | 0.092903 |
| 1 acre | 4,046.86 |
| 1 hectare | 10,000 |
These are the exact values used in the calculator. When a bank asks for area in square feet, convert from Ropani or Bigha using these figures.
Worked Conversion Examples
Example 1: Ropani to Square Feet
How many square feet is 1 Ropani?
1 Ropani = 508.74 sq m 1 sq ft = 0.092903 sq m Square feet = 508.74 ÷ 0.092903 = 5,476 sq ft
This is the standard figure. If someone quotes "1 Ropani = 5,400 sq ft" or "5,500 sq ft," those are approximations that do not match the official conversion. The precise figure is 5,476 sq ft.
Example 2: Bigha to Ropani
How many Ropani is 1 Bigha?
1 Bigha = 6,772.63 sq m 1 Ropani = 508.74 sq m Ropani = 6,772.63 ÷ 508.74 = 13.31 Ropani (approximately)
This is useful when comparing land prices between Terai and hill regions on a per-unit basis.
Example 3: Kattha to Square Metres
How many square metres is 5 Kattha?
1 Kattha = 338.63 sq m 5 Kattha = 5 × 338.63 = 1,693.15 sq m
Example 4: Anna to Square Feet
How large is a 4 Anna plot in square feet?
1 Anna = 31.80 sq m 4 Anna = 4 × 31.80 = 127.20 sq m Square feet = 127.20 ÷ 0.092903 = 1,369 sq ft (approximately)
Example 5: Acres to Bigha
How many Bigha is 2 acres?
1 acre = 4,046.86 sq m 2 acres = 8,093.72 sq m 1 Bigha = 6,772.63 sq m Bigha = 8,093.72 ÷ 6,772.63 = 1.19 Bigha (approximately)
Buying or Selling: What to Verify on the Lalpurja
The lalpurja (field-book / ownership certificate) is the authoritative document for land area in Nepal. It is issued by the Survey Department and the Land Revenue Office after official measurement by a licensed surveyor (naapi). The lalpurja shows:
- Owner name(s)
- Location (VDC/municipality, ward, plot number)
- Area in the local traditional unit
- Type of land (aabadi, kheti, ban, etc.)
What to check:
- Does the area on the lalpurja match what the seller has described?
- Is the unit system consistent with the region (Ropani for hills, Bigha for Terai)?
- Are there any encumbrances, co-owners, or disputed entries?
- Has the plot been recently re-surveyed (naapi) or are measurements from an older field book?
Local variations: In some parts of Nepal, traditional measurements used locally may not exactly match the standard conversion factors in this calculator. Old deeds and informal descriptions can use slightly different local standards. If precision matters for a transaction, commission a fresh naapi (official survey) rather than relying on any conversion tool.
The calculator is not a survey instrument. It converts between standard units correctly. It cannot tell you whether the actual physical land matches the number in the deed.
Common Tasks by Use Case
| Task | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Applying for a bank loan on a hill plot | Convert Ropani/Anna to sq ft using the calculator; provide the lalpurja area, not the calculator result |
| Comparing Terai farm prices per sq m | Convert Bigha to sq m and divide the price |
| Understanding a property listing in Kathmandu | Convert Anna/Ropani to sq ft for an intuitive size sense |
| Estimating room layout on your land | Convert to sq m or sq ft for architectural planning |
| Comparing Nepal land price to international listings | Convert to hectares or acres |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet is 1 Ropani?
1 Ropani = 508.74 sq m = 5,476 sq ft (using the standard conversion of 1 sq ft = 0.092903 sq m). Some sources quote 5,400 or 5,500 — those are approximations. The standard figure used by this calculator and consistent with government cadastral records is 5,476 sq ft.
How many Ropani is 1 Bigha?
1 Bigha = 6,772.63 sq m ÷ 508.74 sq m per Ropani ≈ 13.31 Ropani.
My lalpurja shows a different area than what the seller told me. Which should I trust?
Trust the lalpurja. The lalpurja is an official government document based on a registered survey. Verbal descriptions, old estimates, and conversion calculator results are not authoritative. If there is a discrepancy, request a fresh naapi (survey) before completing any transaction.
Does the calculator handle mixed units — like "1 Ropani 4 Anna 2 Paisa"?
You can convert each unit separately and add the results. Convert 1 Ropani to sq m (508.74), 4 Anna to sq m (4 × 31.80 = 127.20), and 2 Paisa to sq m (2 × 7.95 = 15.90). Total: 508.74 + 127.20 + 15.90 = 651.84 sq m. Or enter each unit one at a time in the calculator and sum the sq m results.
Is the Ropani system used in Kathmandu Valley only?
No — the Ropani system is used throughout the hill districts of Nepal, including Sindhupalchok, Kavre, Dhading, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Lamjung, and much of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces. Kathmandu Valley is the most prominent area where it is used, but it is widespread in the hills generally.
Are there parts of Nepal where both systems are used?
Yes — some inner-Terai districts and transitional zones use elements of both. Chitwan and Nawalparasi are often cited as areas where both Ropani-style and Bigha-style descriptions appear. Deeds will specify the unit system. When in doubt, convert both to sq m for a common comparison.
Can I use this calculator to estimate land tax or registration fees?
No. Land transaction taxes and registration fees are based on government valuation rates (minimum value set by the Land Revenue Office for each area), not on the physical area alone. This calculator handles area conversion only. For registration fee estimates, consult a certified property lawyer or the local Land Revenue Office.
Related Tools
- Land Area Converter — convert ropani, aana, bigha, kattha and dhur to square feet and square metres: Land Area Converter
- Home Construction Cost — estimate building cost for a plot measured in aana or square feet: Home Construction Cost Planner
Try the Calculator
Convert any Nepal land area between Ropani, Anna, Paisa, Dam, Bigha, Kattha, Dhur, acres, hectares, and square feet.