Plot Size Converter (Acre ↔ Hectare ↔ Sqm)

Land area in Tanzania — what units actually mean

Tanzania mixes three measurement systems for land — imperial (acres, square feet) inherited from colonial titles, metric (hectares, square metres) used by the Ministry of Lands today, and local ("ekari" — Swahili for acre — and informal "kiwanja" plot sizes). When you buy a plot, the deed will state one but the seller may quote another, so quick conversion is essential.

The four numbers to remember

• 1 acre = 4,046.86 sqm ≈ 0.4 hectare
• 1 hectare = 10,000 sqm = 2.47 acres
• 1 sqkm = 100 hectares = 247 acres
• Football pitch ≈ 0.71 hectare — useful mental check for "how big is 1 acre?" → just over half a pitch

Typical Tanzanian plot sizes

• Urban plot in Dar/Arusha: 400–800 sqm (often called a "kiwanja").
• Suburban/peri-urban: 1,000–2,000 sqm = ¼ – ½ acre.
• Farm smallholding: 2–10 acres.
• Commercial farm: 50+ acres.

Why this matters when buying

Land rent (Land Rent Calculator) is calculated per square metre. Stamp duty (Stamp Duty Calculator) is on the price, but valuation uses Lands Ministry rates per sqm. Convert to sqm whenever you negotiate.

Pair with the Property Transfer Cost tool when buying.