Convert Indian Katha to Square Meter easily.

If you've ever dealt with property transactions in eastern India, you’ve probably heard the term "Katha" thrown around like confetti at a wedding. This traditional unit of area measurement carries the weight of history and regional identity, but in today’s globalized world, converting it to square meters (the metric superstar) is often necessary. Whether you're verifying land records, negotiating a sale, or just satisfying your inner math nerd, understanding this conversion bridges the gap between old-world charm and modern precision.

Unit definitions

What is a Indian Katha (Katha)?

Description: A traditional unit of area primarily used in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its size varies significantly by region, making it a fascinating example of localized measurement systems.
Symbol: None standardized
Common uses: Land measurement for agricultural and residential properties, especially in states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
Definition: In Bihar, 1 Katha equals 1,361.25 square feet. Other regions define it differently—West Bengal uses 720 sq ft per Katha.

What is a square meter (m²)?

Description: The SI unit of area, recognized globally for scientific and everyday use.
Symbol: m²
Common uses: International real estate, construction plans, legal land documentation.
Definition: The area of a square with sides measuring 1 meter. 1 m² = 10.7639 sq ft.

Conversion formula

Bihar Standard:
1 Katha = 1,361.25 sq ft
1 sq ft = 0.092903 m²
Thus, 1 Katha = 1,361.25 × 0.092903 = 126.464 m²

To convert Katha to square meters:
Square meters = Katha × 126.464

To convert square meters to Katha:
Katha = Square meters ÷ 126.464

Example calculations

1. Converting 3 Katha to m²:
   3 × 126.464 = 379.392 m²
2. Converting 750 m² to Katha:
   750 ÷ 126.464 ≈ 5.93 Katha

Conversion tables

Katha to square meters (Bihar standard)

Square meters to Katha

From paddy fields to metric fields

The Katha’s origins are as rich as the soil it measures. Historically tied to agricultural pourposes, one Katha represented the amount of land a farmer could plow in a day using traditional methods. In Bihar, this translated to roughly 1,361 square feet, a size that allowed families to sustain themselves through rice cultivation. Fast forward to the 20th century, and the push for metric standardization created a clash between tradition and modernity. While urban areas swiftly adopted square meters, rural regions held onto the Katha, leading to today’s dual-system reality. Legal documents now often list both units to avoid disputes, a practice that’s as practical as wearing a watch with both analog and digital displays.

Interesting facts

1. Regional roulette: Assam’s Katha is 2,880 sq ft—over twice Bihar’s size.
2. Metric momentum: India’s 1956 Weights and Measures Act prioritized metric units, but Katha persists in 11 states.
3. Nepal’s twist: Nepal uses a similar Katha, but 1 Katha there equals 3,645 sq ft.
4. Decimal dilemma: Before metrication, 20 Kathas made 1 Bigha in Bihar. Now, 1 Bigha = 20 Kathas = 25,325 sqm.
5. Global cousins: The Katha resembles Indonesia’s "are" (100 sqm), showing how cultures independently developed land units.

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