Unit Converter · Practical guide
How Many Square Feet in an Acre?
One acre is exactly 43,560 square feet — with lot-size conversions and the metric comparison.
At a glance
The Short Answer
1 acre = 43,560 square feet, an exact definition. An acre has no fixed shape — any plot totaling 43,560 ft² qualifies, whether a long strip or a square roughly 208.7 feet on each side. Use the converter above (Area category) for any acreage.
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Unit Converter
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Result
Common Lot Sizes
| Acres | Square Feet | Square Meters |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 acre | 10,890 ft² | 1,011.71 m² |
| 0.5 acre | 21,780 ft² | 2,023.43 m² |
| 1 acre | 43,560 ft² | 4,046.86 m² |
| 2 acres | 87,120 ft² | 8,093.71 m² |
| 5 acres | 217,800 ft² | 20,234.3 m² |
Where the Number Comes From
An acre was historically one chain by one furlong: 66 feet × 660 feet = 43,560 ft². A square mile contains 640 acres, so a quarter section of farmland — 160 acres — covers 6,969,600 ft².
Acres vs. Hectares
The metric hectare is 10,000 m² = 2.47105 acres, so one acre is 0.404686 ha. A 10-hectare field is about 24.7 acres. To go from square feet to acres, divide by 43,560: a 15,000 ft² lot is 15,000 ÷ 43,560 = 0.344 acre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a 1-acre lot?
Any shape totaling 43,560 square feet. A perfectly square acre would be about 208.7 feet on each side.
How many square feet are in a half acre?
Half an acre is 21,780 square feet. A quarter acre, a common suburban lot size, is 10,890 square feet.
How many acres are in a square mile?
A square mile contains exactly 640 acres, which is 27,878,400 square feet.
How do I convert my lot size from square feet to acres?
Divide the square footage by 43,560. A 12,000 ft² lot is 12,000 ÷ 43,560 = 0.275 acre.