Canadian Land Measurement Units

Official guide to land measurement units used across Canada. Convert between acres, hectares, square feet, square metres, and other units for property, farmland, and residential lots.

Acre Hectare Square Feet Square Metres Square Yards

Canadian Land Unit Converter

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Canadian Standard: Canada officially uses the metric system (hectares, square metres), but acres are still widely used for farmland and rural properties. 1 acre = 0.404686 hectares = 43,560 square feet.

Common Land Measurement Units in Canada

Acre (ac)

Traditional unit for farmland and rural properties. 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft = 0.4047 hectares.

Hectare (ha)

Official metric unit for land. 1 hectare = 10,000 m² = 2.471 acres. Used in official documents.

Square Foot (ft²)

Standard for residential properties, building areas, and urban lots. 1 sq ft = 0.0929 m².

Square Metre (m²)

Metric unit for smaller areas. 1 m² = 10.764 sq ft. Used in construction and planning.

Square Yard (yd²)

1 sq yard = 9 sq ft = 0.8361 m². Sometimes used in older property descriptions.

Square Kilometre (km²)

For large areas like cities, parks, and forests. 1 km² = 100 hectares = 247.1 acres.

Canadian Land Measurement System

Official Standards

Canada officially adopted the metric system in 1970, making hectares and square metres the standard land measurement units for government and legal purposes. However, the imperial system (acres, square feet) remains widely used, particularly in:

  • Agriculture: Farm sizes are often described in acres
  • Real Estate: Property listings commonly use square feet for buildings and acres for land
  • Historical Records: Older land grants and surveys use imperial units
  • Rural Areas: Traditional acre measurements persist in farming communities
Residential Properties

In Canadian cities, residential properties are typically measured in:

  • Square Feet (ft²): For house/building area
  • Square Metres (m²): Official building plans
  • Lot Dimensions: Feet/metres for width and depth

Standard urban lots range from 3,000-8,000 sq ft (279-743 m²), while suburban lots can be 10,000-20,000 sq ft (929-1,858 m²).

Farmland & Rural Properties

Agricultural land in Canada is measured in:

  • Acres: Traditional unit (1 acre = 43,560 sq ft)
  • Hectares: Official metric unit (1 ha = 2.471 acres)
  • Quarter Sections: 160 acres = 0.25 sq mile

Average Canadian farm size is approximately 800 acres (324 hectares), though sizes vary significantly by province.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard land measurement unit in Canada?

Canada officially uses the metric system, so hectares and square metres are standard for legal and government purposes. However, acres and square feet remain widely used in real estate and agriculture.

How many square feet are in one acre in Canada?

One acre equals exactly 43,560 square feet in Canada, the same as in the US and other countries using the imperial system.

How do I convert hectares to acres for Canadian farmland?

Multiply hectares by 2.47105 to get acres. For example, 10 hectares = 24.7105 acres. Use our converter above for accurate calculations.

What is a typical residential lot size in Canada?

Urban lots typically range from 3,000-8,000 sq ft (279-743 m²), while suburban lots can be 10,000-20,000 sq ft (929-1,858 m²). Rural lots vary significantly.

Are land surveys in Canada done in metric or imperial?

Modern surveys use metric units, but many older surveys and property descriptions use imperial units. Always check the survey document for units used.

What is the average farm size in Canada in acres?

The average Canadian farm is approximately 800 acres (324 hectares), but this varies by province from about 250 acres in Eastern Canada to over 1,500 acres in the Prairies.

How do I calculate land area for irregular shaped properties in Canada?

For irregular shapes, divide the property into regular shapes (rectangles, triangles), calculate each area separately, then sum them. Professional surveys are recommended for accurate measurements.