Convert Middle East dunams to hectares in seconds.

If you’ve ever bought land in the Middle East or worked on agricultural projects there, you’ve probably encountered the dunam. This traditional unit of area is as common in the region as hummus at a dinner table. But when dealing with international partners or scientific reports, you’ll often need to convert dunams to hectares. Why? Because hectares are the global lingua franca for large-scale land measurement. Let’s break down everything you need to know about these units and how to switch between them effortlessly.

Unit definitions

What is a Middle East dunam (dunam)?

The Middle East dunam is a unit of area primarily used in countries like Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. Symbolized as "dunam," it’s deeply rooted in local land transactions and agricultural planning. One dunam equals 1,000 square meters. That’s roughly the size of two NBA basketball courts. Farmers might use it to measure olive groves, while real estate developers apply it to plot residential areas.

What is a hectare (ha)?

A hectare, abbreviated as "ha," is a metric unit equal to 10,000 square meters. Picture a square field measuring 100 meters by 100 meters. It’s the go-to unit for international agriculture, forestry, and environmental science. When the United Nations discusses reforestation projects, they’re talking in hectares.

Conversion formula

Converting dunams to hectares is simpler than making a cup of Turkish coffee. Since 1 dunam = 1,000 m² and 1 hectare = 10,000 m², the formula is:

Hectares = Dunams × 0.1

Or, if math isn’t your thing, just divide dunams by 10. For example, 30 dunams ÷ 10 = 3 hectares.

Example calculations

1. Converting 5 dunams to hectares:
   5 dunam × 0.1 = 0.5 ha
   That’s half a hectare, or about the size of a small vineyard.
2. Converting 12.5 dunams to hectares:
   12.5 dunam × 0.1 = 1.25 ha
   Imagine a rectangular plot 100 meters wide and 125 meters long.

Conversion tables

Dunam to hectare

Hectare to dunam

From ottoman fields to modern farms: A brief history

The dunam’s story begins in the Ottoman Empire, where it was used to measure taxable land. Originally, it represented the area a farmer could plow in a day (about 900 to 1,100 m²). After the empire’s collapse, Middle Eastern countries standardized it to 1,000 m² in the 20th century. Meanwhile, the hectare emerged from the French metric system in 1795. It gained traction globally because, let’s face it, base-10 math is easier than remembering how many square feet are in an acre.

Fun fact: In some Balkan countries, the dunam survived Ottoman rule but shrunk to 700 m². Always check regional definitions before converting!

Interesting facts...

1. Word origins: "Dunam" comes from the Ottoman Turkish "dönüm," meaning "to turn" (referring to turning soil with a plow).
2. Real estate quirk: In Tel Aviv, land prices are often listed per dunam, making quick conversions to hectares essential for foreign investors.
3. Visualizing size: One hectare can fit about 1.5 football fields. while a dunam is roughly a quarter of that.
4. Modern usage: Lebanon uses dunams in official land registries, while Jordan applies it in urban planning.
5. Global对比: Over 90% of countries use hectares for agricultural statistics, but the dunam persists due to cultural and historical ties.

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