Indian Land Units by State
India’s traditional land units — bigha, biswa, katha and dhur — are not standardised. The same unit means a different area in different states, and many states keep a larger “pucca” and a smaller “kachha” version. This is a sourced, state-by-state reference giving the size of each unit in square feet and square metres, computed from the standard defining values. Last updated 2026-06-19.
Values are multi-source corroborated and marked high or medium confidence. Where states genuinely disagree we show the documented variants rather than invent one figure. For any legal, property or financial decision, always confirm against your local revenue records (patwari / tehsil).
Bigha size by state
A bigha is a traditional Indian land unit whose size is not standardised — it ranges from roughly 1,500 to 2,530 m² depending on the state and on whether a "pucca" (large) or "kachha" (small) bigha is meant.
| State / region | 1 Bigha (sq ft) | 1 Bigha (m²) | 1 Bigha (acres) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & Rajasthan (pucca) | 27,225 | 2,529.285 | 0.625 | high |
| Rajasthan (kachha) | 17,424 | 1,618.743 | 0.4 | high |
| Uttar Pradesh (kachha, western UP) | 9,075 | 843.0951 | 0.2083333 | medium |
| West Bengal | 14,400 | 1,337.804 | 0.3305785 | high |
| Assam | 14,400 | 1,337.804 | 0.3305785 | high |
| Madhya Pradesh | 12,000 | 1,114.836 | 0.2754821 | high |
| Himachal Pradesh (1/5 acre) | 8,712 | 809.3713 | 0.2 | high |
| Gujarat (vigha) | 17,424 | 1,618.743 | 0.4 | high |
| Haryana & Punjab (kachha basis) * | 9,075 | 843.0951 | 0.2083333 | medium |
| Haryana & Punjab (pucca basis) * | 27,225 | 2,529.285 | 0.625 | medium |
- * Haryana & Punjab (kachha basis): Bigha is not standardised in Haryana/Punjab — local 1/5, 1/4 and 1/2-acre bighas (8,712 / 10,890 / 21,780 sq ft) also exist. Confirm against local records.
- * Haryana & Punjab (pucca basis): Bigha is not standardised in Haryana/Punjab — several local bases exist. Confirm against local records.
Biswa size by state
A biswa is 1/20 of a bigha, so like the bigha its real size depends on the state. 1 biswa = 20 biswansi.
| State / region | 1 Biswa (sq ft) | 1 Biswa (m²) | 1 Biswa (acres) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan (pucca) | 1,361.25 | 126.4643 | 0.03125 | high |
| Rajasthan (kachha) | 871.2 | 80.93713 | 0.02 | high |
| Himachal Pradesh | 435.6 | 40.46856 | 0.01 | high |
| Haryana & Punjab (kachha basis) * | 453.75 | 42.15475 | 0.01041667 | medium |
- * Haryana & Punjab (kachha basis): Tracks the local bigha basis, which is not standardised in Haryana/Punjab. Confirm against local records.
Katha size by state
A katha (also spelt kattha) is the common land unit across eastern India. In most states 1 bigha = 20 katha, but in Assam 1 bigha = 5 katha, so the katha’s size varies widely by state.
| State / region | 1 Katha (sq ft) | 1 Katha (m²) | 1 Katha (acres) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bihar | 1,361.25 | 126.4643 | 0.03125 | high |
| West Bengal (rural) | 720 | 66.89019 | 0.01652893 | high |
| West Bengal (Kolkata) | 360 | 33.44509 | 0.008264463 | medium |
| Assam (1 bigha = 5 katha) | 2,880 | 267.5608 | 0.0661157 | high |
| Jharkhand (Ranchi) | 720 | 66.89019 | 0.01652893 | high |
| Madhya Pradesh | 600 | 55.74182 | 0.0137741 | medium |
Dhur size by state
A dhur is a small land unit used mainly in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, where 1 katha = 20 dhur and 1 dhur = 20 dhurki.
| State / region | 1 Dhur (sq ft) | 1 Dhur (m²) | 1 Dhur (acres) | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bihar | 68.0625 | 6.323213 | 0.0015625 | high |
| Uttar Pradesh | 68.0625 | 6.323213 | 0.0015625 | medium |
Pucca vs kachha — why two sizes exist
In several northern states a pucca (“pakka”, large) bigha is the bigger official measure, while a kachha (small) bigha is a local fraction of it — commonly a third or a quarter. Rajasthan, for instance, uses a 27,225 sq ft pucca bigha and a 17,424 sq ft kachha bigha. The biswa, being 1/20 of a bigha, tracks the same pucca/kachha split.
How the units relate
- 1 bigha = 20 biswa (and 1 biswa = 20 biswansi) wherever the bigha–biswa system is used.
- 1 katha = 20 dhur (and 1 dhur = 20 dhurki) in the Bihar / eastern-UP system.
- 1 bigha = 20 katha in most of eastern India — but only 5 katha in Assam.
Only the absolute size changes by state; these within-system ratios stay fixed.
Convert these units
Use the by-state converters (they carry the same per-state values and a region selector):
See all area & land-unit conversions →
Sources & how to cite
Compiled from multiple references, including Wikipedia: Bigha, Wikipedia: Katha, Wikipedia: Measurement of land in Punjab and state land-record references, cross-checked against real-estate sources.
Cite this page: “Indian Land Units by State”, Internet Tool Wizard, https://www.internettoolwizard.com/guides/indian-land-units-by-state/ (updated 2026-06-19).
Frequently asked questions
- How many square feet is 1 bigha?
- It depends on the state. A pucca bigha in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan is 27,225 sq ft (2,529 m²), but a bigha is 14,400 sq ft in West Bengal and Assam, 12,000 sq ft in Madhya Pradesh and 8,712 sq ft (1/5 acre) in Himachal Pradesh. See the table above for your state.
- Why does a bigha (or katha) differ by state?
- These are traditional units recorded separately by each state’s revenue system, never standardised nationally. Many states also keep a larger “pucca” and a smaller “kachha” version. So the only correct value is the one for your specific state or district.
- What is the difference between a pucca and kachha bigha?
- A pucca (“pakka”, large) bigha is the bigger official measure; a kachha (small) bigha is a local fraction of it — often a third or a quarter. For example, in Rajasthan the pucca bigha is 27,225 sq ft while the kachha bigha is 17,424 sq ft.
- How many katha are in a bigha?
- In most of eastern India 1 bigha = 20 katha, and 1 katha = 20 dhur. The big exception is Assam, where 1 bigha = 5 katha. Because the bigha itself varies by state, the katha’s absolute size varies too.