Convert Chinese Mu to square meters in seconds.
1 mu x 666.6667 = 666.6667 m²
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If you’ve ever dealt with land measurements in China or studied agricultural reports from East Asia, you’ve probably encountered the term “Mu.” This traditional unit of area might seem puzzling at first glance—especially if you’re accustomed to square meters or acres. But don’t worry, converting Chinese Mu to square meters is simpler than mastering chopsticks. Whether you’re evaluating farmland, interpreting real estate listings, or just satisfying your curiosity, this guide will turn you into a Mu conversion pro.
Unit definitions
What is a chinese mu (mu)?
- Description: The Mu is a traditional Chinese unit for measuring land area, deeply rooted in agricultural practices.
- Symbol: 亩 (Chinese character), abbreviated as “mu”
- Common uses: Measuring farmland, rural property, and historical land records in China.
- Definition: 1 Mu equals exactly 1/15 of a hectare or approximately 666.6667 square meters.
What is a square meter (m²)?
- Description: The square meter is the base unit of area in the International System of Units (SI).
- Symbol: m²
- Common uses: Global standard for real estate, construction, and scientific measurements.
- Definition: The area of a square with sides measuring 1 meter. 1 hectare = 10,000 m².
Conversion formula
To convert Mu to square meters:
square meters = Mu × 666.6667
To convert square meters to Mu:
Mu = square meters ÷ 666.6667
Example calculations
- Converting 5 Mu to m²:
- 5 Mu × 666.6667 = 3,333.3335 m²
- Rounded to 3,333.33 m² (perfect for a small orchard)
- Converting 1,000 m² to Mu:
- 1,000 ÷ 666.6667 ≈ 1.5 Mu
- That’s like converting a suburban backyard into traditional units.
Conversion tables
Chinese Mu to square meters
| Mu | Square Meters (m²) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 666.67 |
| 2 | 1,333.33 |
| 3 | 2,000.00 |
| 4 | 2,666.67 |
| 5 | 3,333.33 |
| 10 | 6,666.67 |
| 15 | 10,000.00 |
| 20 | 13,333.33 |
Square meters to Chinese Mu
| Square Meters (m²) | Mu |
|---|---|
| 666.67 | 1 |
| 1,333.33 | 2 |
| 2,000.00 | 3 |
| 2,666.67 | 4 |
| 3,333.33 | 5 |
| 6,666.67 | 10 |
| 10,000.00 | 15 |
| 13,333.33 | 20 |
Historical background
The Mu’s history stretches back over 2,300 years to teh Warring States period in China (475–221 BCE). Originally based on the amount of land one farmer could plow in a day, it was standardized during the Qin dynasty. The 1949 Communist land reforms cemented its role in redistributing agricultural plots. Though China officially adopted the metric system in 1984, the Mu persists in rural areas—proof that old habits die hard, especially when they’re tied to cultural identity.
Interesting facts
- Metric harmony: 15 Mu make exactly 1 hectare (10,000 m²), creating a neat decimal relationship.
- Urban vs. rural: City dwellers in Beijing might quote apartment sizes in m², while their rural cousins still swear by Mu.
- Size perspective: 1 Mu ≈ 0.1647 acres. So 6 Mu ≈ 1 acre—handy for cross-cultural comparisons.
- Government ties: China’s annual grain production statistics are still reported in Mu by some local agencies.
- Name game: In Taiwan, a similar unit exists called “jia,” where 1 jia = 2,934 m² (about 4.4 Mu).
FAQ
The Mu remains popular in rural China for measuring farmland, as it provides a familiar reference point for older generations and aligns with historical land records.
One Mu (666.667 m²) covers roughly 70% of a standard FIFA soccer field (≈9,600 m²). It’s closer to the size of two NBA basketball courts combined.
While China’s official system uses metric units, Mu often appears alongside square meters in land contracts for clarity, especially in agricultural contexts.
Yes! The decimal repeats infinitely because 1 Mu equals 1/15 of a hectare (10,000 m² ÷ 15 ≈ 666.666...). We round it to 666.67 for practicality.
Divide Mu by 15. For example, 30 Mu ÷ 15 = 2 hectares. Our tool can handle this if you first convert Mu to m², then to hectares.