How big is an acre?

The term ‘acre’ was historically used to refer to the amount of land that could be plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen. However, the exact size of an acre would vary depending on the type of land, weather conditions, and other factors. The term is now standardized to apply to any shape of land with a total area of 43,560 square feet.

To understand the size of an acre visually, it makes up about 75% of a football field or roughly three Olympic-sized swimming pools. Agricultural land in the U.S. is measured in acres, making it important for land assessment, valuation, and resource management.

Acres of land can be converted to hectares by dividing the area by 2.471 or multiplying it by 0.4046.

For example, a 5 acre plot of land can be converted to hectares by:

• Division: 5 / 2.471 = 2.02 hectares
• Multiplication: 5 x 0.4046 = 2.023 hectares.

Acres can be used to measure any shape of land, including circles or rectangles, so long as the total area is equivalent to 43,560 square footage.

How many acres are in common land plots used in business?

The size of commercial land plots can vary depending on the industry, location, and purpose of the land. Below are some examples of roughly how many acres are in common land plots used in business:

• Retail stores: 0.5 - 2 acres
• Shopping centers: 3 - 40 acres
• Office buildings: 1 - 5 acres
• Corporate campuses: 20 - 200+ acres
• Manufacturing plants: 5 - 100+ acres
• Distribution centers: 10 - 100 acres
• Warehouses: 5 - 50 acres
• Farms: 10 - 1,000+ acres.

The role of acres in agricultural land assessment

Acres are a standard unit of measurement used to evaluate agricultural land size and potential productivity. Below are some ways that acres are used in agricultural land assessment:

Determining crop yields

Land size directly impacts the potential crop yield. Farmers and agricultural businesses measure land in acres to estimate how much of a particular crop can be harvested based on typical yield rates per acre.

For example, the average corn yield in the U.S. is 175 bushels per acre. This means a 10 acre farm could yield 1,750 bushels of corn while a 1,000 acre farm could yield 175,000 bushels of corn.

Land valuation

Agricultural land valuation is often based on price per acre, which varies depending on factors like soil quality, location, water access, and zoning regulations.

For example, farmland in Wyoming might average $1,370 per acre, while in California it can be $11,014. These price differences could be attributed to factors like California's highly fertile soil, established irrigation, longer growing season, and proximity to shops and other infrastructure.

Global commodity consultants can help businesses assess the best use of land based on current market conditions.

Land management

Knowing the exact acreage of a plot helps farmers and landowners plan for planting, irrigation, and crop rotation. For example, knowing how big an acre of land is can help inform how much fertilizer, water, or labor is needed to manage the land.

Investment and financing

Understanding the total acreage of agricultural land can help financial institutions and investors assess a plot’s potential value and revenue-generating capabilities. This can help inform decision-making on agricultural investments or loans.

Additionally, commodity risk solutions can help agricultural businesses and investors assess a plot's exposure to risks like price volatility, climate conditions, or resource management issues.

Why is land measured in acres for B2B transactions?

In B2B transactions, measuring land in acreage provides a consistent, widely used, and practical metric that ensures all parties are aligned on the size of land being negotiated.

Standardized unit of measurement

Acres are a common unit of measurement used for everything from agricultural land to commercial properties and industrial sites. As a standardized unit of measure, acres make it easy for businesses to communicate the size of land involved in a transaction.

Convenience

Many agricultural processes, like land leasing, crop planting, and harvesting, are based on acre measurements. For that reason, using acres in B2B transactions can make it easier for agricultural businesses to calculate crop yields, assess land value, and determine allocation of resources.

Global consistency

Acreage is a universally recognized unit of measurement for land. For global B2B operations, using acres ensure that all parties are aligned in terms of land size and value.

How does an acre compare to other land measurements?

Here’s how an acre compares to other units of measurement:

• 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
• 1 acre = 4046.86 square meters
• 1 acre = 4840 square yards
• 1 acre = 0.404686 hectares
• 1/640th of one square mile.

What industries rely on acre-based land measurements?

Acre-based land measurements are used across various industries, including:

Agriculture

The agricultural sector is perhaps the most dependent on acres, which are used for crop production, land leasing, and land valuation. Farmers and agricultural businesses use acres to calculate crop yields, manage resources, plan irrigation, and more.

Real estate

Acreage is used by both residential and commercial real estate to measure large properties, particularly in suburban and rural areas where larger plot sizes are common. Acres are also used for land zoning and planning.

Construction and development

Construction companies rely on acre measurements when determining the size of land required for building projects, such as residential neighborhoods or large commercial buildings. Planners and architects use acres to ensure their projects comply with zoning laws and to estimate material and labor requirements.

Forestry

Acres are used by the forestry industry to calculate the size of timberland and assess its potential for harvesting.

Disadvantages of Economic Indicators

On the other hand, while valuable, economic indicators also have drawbacks and associated risks. Some disadvantages include:

Mining and resource extraction

Companies involved in mining, oil, and natural gas extraction often use acre measurements to evaluate the land required for drilling, excavation, and extraction operations. This can help guide regulatory compliance and assess potential revenue from resource extraction.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy companies use acres to measure the land needed for solar farms or wind turbines. Acre-based land measurements can help calculate expected energy production and ensure land is used efficiently.

Urban planning

Government agencies use acres to determine zoning laws, manage public lands, and allocate resources for parks or public facilities.

Farming and livestock

Acreage is also important for livestock farming, where the size of grazing fields or pastures determines stock density and farm productivity. For example, a certain number of acres may be allocated to livestock operations to ensure animals have enough space, feed, and water access.

What are the Key Economic Indicators?

As we have mentioned above, some of the most important economic indicators include:

Exploring the use of acres in commercial real estate planning

Acres play an important role in commercial real estate planning, where they’re used in land assessments, acquisition, and development.

Knowing the total land area in acres helps developers determine whether a property is large enough to accommodate planned projects. It also affects whether a project is feasible and can accommodate necessary infrastructure such as parking or utilities.

Acreage is also used in commercial real estate planning to ensure compliance with local zoning laws and regulations. For example, zoning laws can outline minimum lot sizes, setback requirements, or a minimum number of parking spaces per acre of commercial space. This can then inform land acquisition strategies, as developers won’t acquire land that’s unable to support their projects.

Land size also dictates how much space is available for buildings, parking lots, roads, and green areas within a development. Understanding acreage is essential for site planning and ensures that a commercial space can handle the expected traffic without overcrowding.

Key considerations for land acquisition using acreage metrics

Below are some key things to consider when acquiring land based on acreage metrics:

Identifying boundary dimensions

The first step is to clearly define the length and width of the land in question. It’s important that all parties involved agree on these measurements during the settlement process, especially if neighboring properties are close by. Boundaries should be marked with landmarks, fences, or natural features to avoid confusion and ensure precise measurements.

Topography

The terrain of the land can sometimes impact the number of acreages. Flat land is straightforward to measure, however areas with hills, valleys, or ponds can make the process more complicated. These should be accounted for when measuring total land area.

Overlapping land parcels

If the land consists of multiple parcels, it’s important to be careful when determining the boundaries. Overlaps or gaps between parcels can lead to discrepancies in acreage readings and potentially encroaching on neighboring land, which can lead to legal issues.

Legal considerations

Finally, it’s important to be familiar with local zoning regulations and surveying standards to ensure compliance and proper documentation of land acquisition.

How big is an acre in square feet?

An acre is equivalent to 43,560 square feet.

How big is an acre in football fields?

An American football field, including both end zones, is equivalent to about 1.32 acres. In other words, one acre is about 75% of a football field.

How big is an acre compared to a square mile?

There are 640 acres in a square mile.

How many houses fit into an acre?

One acre can fit about 3 to 4 average-sized houses.

What is a commercial acre?

A commercial acre is different from a standard or residential acre. This unit of measure was created by real estate agencies in the U.S. and is said to account for alleyways, roads, and sidewalks.

1 commercial acre is about 82.6% of a standard acre:

• 1 commercial acre = 36,000 square feet
• 1 commercial acre = 4000 square yards
• 1 commercial acre = 3342.8 square meters

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as an investment recommendation or a personal recommendation.