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Katha to Square Feet Converter

Katha is a traditional land measurement unit still widely used across South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Indian states like Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal. Because katha has no standardized size—values vary significantly by region—direct conversion requires knowing your specific location. Our converter handles these regional differences, translating katha measurements into square feet and square meters for property documentation, land transactions, and surveying work.

Last updated:

Creators Wojciech Sas, PhD
4,958 people find this calculator helpful

Understanding Katha as a Land Measurement

Katha emerged as a practical land unit in South Asian communities long before metric standardization became widespread. Though officially superseded by the metric system in the mid-twentieth century, katha persists in everyday usage—especially when local residents discuss agricultural plots, residential property, or commercial land parcels. Its survival reflects deep cultural roots; people naturally think in the units their grandparents used.

The critical challenge with katha is its lack of uniformity. One katha in Bangladesh (720 ft²) bears no relation to one katha in Nepal (3,645 ft²) or Assam (2,880 ft²). Even within India, neighbouring districts adopt different standards: Patna and South Bihar both recognize 1,361 ft² per katha, while Saran uses 1,742.24 ft² and Bihar state generally varies between 750 and 2,000 ft². This regional fragmentation means property descriptions in katha are meaningless without geographic context.

Conversion Formula for Katha to Square Feet

The conversion from katha to square feet is straightforward multiplication. Once you identify the correct regional conversion factor for your location, apply it directly to your katha measurement:

Area (ft²) = Area (katha) × Regional Conversion Factor

Area (m²) = Area (ft²) ÷ 10.764

  • Area (katha) — The land measurement in katha units
  • Regional Conversion Factor — The number of square feet that equal one katha in your specific region or district
  • Area (ft²) — The resulting measurement in square feet
  • Area (m²) — The land area converted to square meters

Regional Conversion Reference Table

Because katha values differ so dramatically across regions, always verify your location before converting. Use this table as your reference:

  • Bangladesh & West Bengal: 1 katha = 720 ft² (67 m²)
  • Nepal: 1 katha = 3,645 ft² (338.63 m²)
  • Gorakhpur, Patna, South Bihar, Aurangabad, Gaya: 1 katha ≈ 1,361 ft²
  • Saran: 1 katha = 1,742.24 ft²
  • Assam: 1 katha = 2,880 ft²
  • Bihar State (general): 1 katha ranges from 750 to 2,000 ft² depending on local convention

For large-scale land transactions or legal documentation, confirm the exact conversion factor with local revenue departments or surveying authorities in your district. Online converters are convenient, but official records should always be your ultimate source of truth.

Common Pitfalls When Converting Katha Measurements

Several practical mistakes commonly occur when working with katha conversions—awareness prevents costly errors.

  1. Assuming katha is uniform across India — Katha values can differ between neighbouring states or even within the same state. A 10-katha plot in Bihar might represent 7,500–20,000 ft² depending on the local definition. Always clarify which district or region the katha measurement refers to before making financial commitments.
  2. Mixing up conversion directions — Converting from katha to square feet requires multiplication by the regional factor. Reversing this operation (dividing square feet by the factor) gives you katha. Common property documents state area in both units; verify they're mathematically consistent using the correct factor.
  3. Neglecting the Bangladesh-Nepal gap — Nepal's katha (3,645 ft²) is five times larger than Bangladesh's (720 ft²). Transactions across South Asian borders demand extra scrutiny. A property described as '20 katha' in Dhaka versus Kathmandu differs by 56,000 square feet—a financially significant gap.
  4. Forgetting metric conversion standards — Once you've converted katha to square feet, converting to square metres requires dividing by 10.764, not 10. Small rounding errors in large transactions compound into discrepancies. Use consistent decimal places throughout legal conversions.

Why Regional Variation Matters for Land Transactions

Historical isolation between communities meant each region developed independent measurement systems. Standardization efforts in colonial and post-colonial periods occurred unevenly—some areas adopted precise metric definitions, others scaled traditional katha to match local land survey practices. The result is a patchwork of legal standards.

For property buyers, surveyors, and administrators, this fragmentation creates real consequences. An agricultural loan officer in Nepal cannot assume katha measurements from an Indian state apply to their jurisdiction. Land transfer documents must explicitly state both the original katha measurement and the conversion factor used. Government property registries typically include this information, but private transactions risk ambiguity.

Modern land records increasingly use square metres or square feet exclusively to sidestep katha confusion. However, rural properties and hereditary land still circulate in katha-based documentation. When purchasing land, request certified surveys in metric units rather than relying solely on traditional measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between one katha in Bangladesh and one katha in Nepal?

Bangladesh recognizes 1 katha as 720 square feet (67 square metres), while Nepal defines 1 katha as 3,645 square feet (338.63 square metres). This five-fold difference stems from independent historical development—Bangladesh's measurement aligned with local agricultural practices and colonial survey standards, while Nepal's katha evolved separately. For any cross-border transaction or comparison, always verify which regional standard applies to avoid major calculation errors.

How do I know which conversion factor to use for my location?

Consult your local revenue department, land registration office, or municipal administration—they maintain official conversion standards for your district. Online converters like this one typically include dropdown menus listing all recognised variations. If you're working with legal documents, look for the conversion factor already stated in the property deed or survey report. For ambiguous cases, request a certified survey from a licensed surveyor who will specify both the measurement unit and the conversion methodology used.

Can I use the same katha conversion factor across all Indian states?

No. India's katha values vary significantly by state and district. Bihar generally ranges from 750 to 2,000 square feet per katha, while Assam standardises at 2,880 square feet per katha. Even within Bihar, specific districts like Patna, Saran, and Aurangabad each have slightly different official factors. Always identify your specific state or district before converting. Government land records and revenue offices publish these regional factors; cross-reference them before completing any transaction.

Why does katha still exist if the metric system is standard in South Asia?

Despite official adoption of the metric system in the twentieth century, katha persists because it remains embedded in local culture, rural communities, and legacy property documents. Older landowners, farmers, and traditional surveying practices still think naturally in katha units. Government records must sometimes accommodate both metric and traditional measurements for administrative continuity. Additionally, conversion to metric often requires certification and formal re-survey, which rural property owners may view as unnecessary bureaucracy. Katha's survival reflects the practical lag between official standardisation and cultural practice.

If I have a property measured in square feet, how do I convert it back to katha?

Divide your square footage by the regional conversion factor specific to your location. For example, in Bangladesh where 1 katha equals 720 square feet, a 3,600-square-foot plot would be 3,600 ÷ 720 = 5 katha. For larger areas, conversion tables often reference 10,000 square feet for convenience—Bangladesh uses 13.89 katha per 10,000 square feet, Nepal uses 2.74 katha per 10,000 square feet. Keep conversion factors from official sources and calculate carefully, especially for legally binding documents.

What should I do if a property document lists both katha and square feet but the numbers don't match?

Verify both measurements against the official conversion factor for that region. If they don't align mathematically, the document may contain an error, or it may be using an outdated or non-standard factor. Request clarification from the original surveyor or the property registration authority. For significant discrepancies, commission an independent certified survey to establish the accurate area. Never proceed with a major property transaction when area measurements are ambiguous—the cost of re-surveying is far less than the financial risk of purchasing the wrong-sized property.

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