Definition of "Acre in Real Estate"

Beth Hahn real estate agent

Written by

Beth Hahnelite badge icon

Ivester Jackson | Christie

An acre is defined as a land unit that is commonly used in the US customary and imperial systems of 66 by 660 feet (one chain by one furlong). An acre is a measure of volume used in many countries. Meaning “open field” is commonly used to measure tracts of land and was first defined back in the middle age for measuring the amount of land a yoke of oxen could plow in one day. With the International yard and pound agreement of 1959, the acre was determined to represent precisely 4,046.856 422 4 square meters, and the other measuring systems translated it accordingly. 

Because we do not use just one unit of measurement globally, an acre is recognized as a statute measure in the United Kingdom, most countries of the former British Empire, and the United States. What should be noted, however, is that, while the measurement can be legally used for trade and measurements of tracts of land, it should only be given as secondary information and should not be used for land registration.

The Size of an Acre

Considering that we no longer use yokes of oxen to measure land, you might be wondering how big is an acre. The measurement of an acre can be of any shape, not only rectangular. The only necessity is that it amounts to a total area of 43,560 square feet. To better visualize, imagine something like a football field without both end zones.

An acre is about 4,047 square meters, 43,560 square feet, around 40% of a hectare, 1/640 of a square mile. It is essential to check the documents for any land owned or bought, however,  to make sure that the measurements are in acres and not commercial acres. For a commercial acre, there is a slightly different method of measurement.

Real Estate Secrets:

Did you know that our real estate glossary has approximately 100 acres filled with real estate terms?

And if you’re not in the mood to walk this uncharted territory, find a real estate agent and let him trailblazer it for you.

Comments for Acre In Real Estate

Sheila Thompson Sheila Thompson said:

What is the meaning of property offset?

Apr 18, 2019  13:49:48

 
Real Estate Agent

Hello Sheila, are you thinking about properties under an offset statement

May 01, 2019  04:33:16
 
 
image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Room in a building used to collect solar heat. To provide for such collection, a room is generally constructed with a glass roof and walls. ...

Raising money by mortgages and borrowing the money directly from financial institutions. The presence of debt financing provides financial leverage, which tends to magnify the effects of ...

The person giving property or establishing a trust. ...

Slang reference for a preliminary prospectus that outlines the important aspects of a new issue securities for a real estate company, partnership, or investment trust. This prospectus ...

Amount subject to depreciation, which equals the initial cost less the estimated salvage value. ...

A court order issued to a defendant in an action either prohibiting or commanding the performance of a defined act. A violation of an injunction could lead to a contempt of court citation. ...

Money set aside for a possible loss, such as from a fire. ...

The definition for the gross living area published by the Appraisal Institute’s Dictionary of Real Estate 4th Edition is: “The total area of finished, above-grade residential ...

Large, high-volume food store where customers serve themselves by going through the aisles and selecting their groceries to be paid at the cash register on the way out. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions