Area Converter — Kathas, Bighas, Decimals & Bangladesh Property Units Explained

Land and floor space measurements are a daily reality in Bangladesh — and they're complicated

In Bangladesh, real estate conversations happen in at least three measurement systems simultaneously. A property listing might quote price per katha and size in decimal. The registration deed uses square feet or square metres. A foreign investor asks for hectares. Your architect draws plans in metres. Each party is describing the same physical space, but the units are completely different.

Understanding these units — and being able to convert between them instantly — is essential for anyone buying, selling, renting, or developing property in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Land Measurement System

Traditional Bangladeshi land measurement uses a hierarchical system based on the katha as the primary unit in most regions:

1 katha = 720 square feet (standard in Bangladesh) 1 bigha = 20 kathas = 14,400 square feet 1 decimal/satak = 435.6 square feet = 1/100 of an acre

These units appear in land records, sales documents, and everyday property conversations. The decimal and satak terms are used interchangeably across Bangladesh — both representing 1/100 of an acre.

Important regional variation

Katha and bigha values vary across South Asia. In West Bengal (India), 1 katha = 720 sq ft (same as Bangladesh). In Bihar, 1 katha ≈ 1,361 sq ft. In Nepal, different again. When dealing with land documents from different regions, always confirm the local standard.

The Complete Conversion Reference

Metric:

• 1 square metre = 10.764 square feet
• 1 hectare = 10,000 m² = 107,639 sq ft = 2.471 acres

Bangladesh traditional:

• 1 decimal = 435.6 sq ft = 40.47 m²
• 1 katha = 720 sq ft = 66.89 m² = 1.653 decimals
• 1 bigha = 14,400 sq ft = 1,337.8 m² = 33.06 decimals = 0.334 acres

Imperial:

• 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft = 4,047 m² = 100 decimals = 60.5 kathas (approx.)

How to Use the Area Converter on sadiqbd.com

1. Enter the area value
2. Select the source unit — square feet, square metres, kathas, bighas, decimals, acres, hectares
3. Read the converted value — in your target unit

Real-World Examples

Property purchase comparison

Two plots are listed:

• Plot A: 5 kathas at ৳45,00,000
• Plot B: 3,500 square feet at ৳40,00,000

Converting Plot A: 5 × 720 = 3,600 sq ft at ৳45,00,000 = ৳12,500/sq ft Plot B: 3,500 sq ft at ৳40,00,000 = ৳11,428/sq ft

Plot B is cheaper per square foot despite the higher headline comparison challenge. The area converter makes the per-unit comparison possible.

Agricultural land valuation

A rural plot is described in land records as 3 bighas, 12 kathas, and 4 decimals. What is the total area in square feet?

3 bighas: 3 × 14,400 = 43,200 sq ft 12 kathas: 12 × 720 = 8,640 sq ft 4 decimals: 4 × 435.6 = 1,742.4 sq ft Total: 53,582 sq ft = 49.76 m² — no, wait.

Total: 53,582 sq ft ÷ 10.764 = 4,977 m² = 0.498 hectares

Different parties wanting different units: the area converter handles all without separate calculations.

Apartment size for international comparison

A Dhaka apartment is 1,350 sq ft. An international buyer asks for square metres.

1,350 ÷ 10.764 = 125.4 m²

Developer's land bank reporting

A development company has plots totalling 240 decimals. They report to an international investor in hectares.

240 decimals = 240 × 435.6 sq ft = 1,04,544 sq ft In hectares: 1,04,544 ÷ 107,639 = 0.9714 hectares

Why the Same Area Feels Different in Different Units

The psychological impact of area units is real. Describing a plot as "2 kathas" sounds like a modest urban plot. The same plot in square feet (1,440 sq ft) feels spacious. In square metres (133.8 m²), it feels compact. The physical space is identical — only the reference frame changes.

This matters in negotiations: sellers may prefer the unit that makes their property sound larger; buyers may prefer the unit that contextualises value best. Always convert to multiple units before making judgements about size or value.

Carpet Area vs. Built-Up Area vs. Super Built-Up Area

A critical distinction in South Asian real estate that the area converter doesn't resolve but you need to know:

Carpet area: The actual livable floor space inside the apartment walls. What you can put furniture on.

Built-up area: Carpet area plus walls, balconies, and utility ducts. Typically 10–15% more than carpet area.

Super built-up area (saleable area): Built-up area plus a proportional share of common areas (lobby, stairwell, gym, parking). Typically 20–35% more than carpet area.

In Dhaka, developers typically quote super built-up area in listings. A "1,350 sq ft" apartment may have only 950–1,000 sq ft of carpet area. Always ask which area is being quoted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many square feet are in 1 decimal? 1 decimal = 435.6 square feet. This is 1/100 of an acre (an acre = 43,560 sq ft, so 43,560 ÷ 100 = 435.6).

Is a bigha the same throughout Bangladesh? For all practical purposes in Bangladesh, 1 bigha = 20 kathas = 14,400 sq ft. This is the standard used in official land records. Confirm when dealing with older documents that might use different regional conventions.

What's the difference between decimal and satak? They're the same unit — both represent 1/100 of an acre (435.6 sq ft). The terms are used interchangeably across different regions of Bangladesh.

Is the area converter free? Yes — completely free, no sign-up required.

Property decisions in Bangladesh require fluency in multiple area measurement systems. The converter puts all of them at your fingertips — so comparisons take seconds, not mental arithmetic and potential errors.

Try the Area Converter free at sadiqbd.com — convert between square feet, metres, kathas, bighas, decimals, and acres instantly.