Nepal Land Measurement Guide: Ropani, Aana, Paisa, Daam & Terai Bigha
Complete Nepal land measurement guide covering Hill units (Ropani, Aana, Paisa, Daam) and Terai units (Bigha, Kattha, Dhur) with Sq Ft formulas, Acre ratios, and worked examples.
Convert Nepal Ropani, Aana, Paisa, Daam (Hill system) and Bigha, Kattha, Dhur (Terai system).
Nepal Land Measurement Systems Explained
Nepal land measurement uses two official systems depending on geography: the Hill (Pahad) system based on Ropani, Aana, Paisa, and Daam, and the Terai (Madhesh) system based on Bigha, Kattha, and Dhur. Sale deeds, Lalpurja (land ownership certificates), bank valuations, and municipal tax records all use these traditional units — so converting them accurately to Square Feet, Square Meters, or Acre is essential before any purchase or transfer.
Use the free Nepal Land Converter for instant Ropani ↔ Aana ↔ Sq Ft calculations while you read.
Hill System: Ropani, Aana, Paisa & Daam
The Hill ladder is the standard across Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and most mountainous districts:
| Unit | Equals | Square Feet | Square Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Daam (दाम) | base unit | 21.390625 Sq Ft | 1.987 Sq M |
| 1 Paisa (पैसा) | 4 Daam | 85.5625 Sq Ft | 7.949 Sq M |
| 1 Aana (आना) | 4 Paisa = 16 Daam | 342.25 Sq Ft | 31.80 Sq M |
| 1 Ropani (रोपनी) | 16 Aana = 64 Paisa = 256 Daam | 5,476 Sq Ft | 508.72 Sq M |
| 1 Acre | ≈ 7.954 Ropani | 43,560 Sq Ft | 4,046.86 Sq M |
Quick Hill formulas
Terai System: Bigha, Kattha & Dhur
In Nepal’s southern plains (Terai / Madhesh), land records follow a larger Bigha-based ladder that differs from both Indian and Bangladeshi Bigha sizes:
| Unit | Equals | Square Feet | Square Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dhur (धुर) | base unit | 182.25 Sq Ft | 16.93 Sq M |
| 1 Kattha (कट्ठा) | 20 Dhur | 3,645 Sq Ft | 338.63 Sq M |
| 1 Bigha (विघा) | 20 Kattha = 400 Dhur | 72,900 Sq Ft | 6,772.63 Sq M |
| 1 Acre | ≈ 0.597 Terai Bigha | 43,560 Sq Ft | 4,046.86 Sq M |
Quick Terai formulas
Important: Nepal Terai Bigha (72,900 Sq Ft) is not the same as Assam/Bengal Bigha (14,400 Sq Ft) or many Indian state Bighas. Always confirm which regional standard a deed uses — see also our Bigha to Acre regional breakdown.
Hill vs Terai — Never Mix the Ladders
| Feature | Hill (Ropani) | Terai (Bigha) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary unit | Ropani | Bigha |
| 1 unit in Sq Ft | 5,476 | 72,900 |
| Common regions | Kathmandu, Pokhara, hills | Madhesh, southern plains |
| Subdivisions | Aana → Paisa → Daam | Kattha → Dhur |
| ≈ Acre equivalent | ~7.95 Ropani = 1 Acre | ~0.60 Bigha = 1 Acre |
A deed written in Ropani cannot be converted with Terai Kattha ratios. Convert through Square Feet (or use the Nepal land measurement tool) to switch systems safely.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Convert 2 Ropani 5 Aana to Square Feet
Example 2: Convert 1 Acre to Ropani
Example 3: Convert 3 Terai Kattha to Square Feet
Example 4: Convert 1 Terai Bigha to Acre
How to Convert Nepal Land Units Online
Buyer & Registry Checklist for Nepal Land
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Aana make 1 Ropani in Nepal?
Exactly 16 Aana make 1 Ropani (5,476 square feet).
How many Square Feet is 1 Aana?
1 Aana = 342.25 Sq Ft (about 31.80 Sq M).
How many Ropani are in 1 Acre?
Approximately 7.95 Ropani equal 1 Acre (43,560 ÷ 5,476).
Is Nepal Terai Bigha the same as Indian Bigha?
No. Nepal Terai Bigha is 72,900 Sq Ft, while common Assam/Bengal Bigha is 14,400 Sq Ft. They are not interchangeable.
What is the difference between Paisa and Daam?
1 Paisa = 4 Daam, and 1 Aana = 4 Paisa. Daam is the smallest Hill subdivision used in precise deed descriptions.
Can I convert Ropani directly to Terai Kattha?
Yes, but always convert via Square Feet: Ropani → Sq Ft → Kattha. Mixing ladder ratios without a Sq Ft bridge causes large errors.