How To Calculate Hectares

A hectare is a metric unit for measuring area, with one hectare equaling 2.471 acres or 10,000 meters. For perspective, an American football field, including end zones, measures 0.535 hectares. According to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia, "The term is derived from the Latin area and from 'hect,' an irregular contraction of the Greek word for hundred. Although the 'are' is the primary metric unit of land measurement, in practice the hectare is more commonly used." Here's how to calculate hectares from non-metric units in three steps.

Step 1

Take note of the given quantity, number and unit, and use units to solve problems first.

Step 2

Find the equivalents and write an identity statement. For example: 1 hectare = 2.471 acres or 107,637 square feet; 1 acre = 43,500 square feet or 4,840 square yards; 1 yard = 3 feet; 1 square yard = 9 square feet.

Step 3

Divide the number of acres by 2.471 to convert acreage to hectares. For example, let's say you want to convert 320 acres into hectares. Knowing that 1 hectare = 2.471 acres, you'd divide 320 by 2.471 (320/2.471) to get the answer,129.5 hectares.

Step 4

Convert square yards into acres first and then calculate how many hectares there are if square yards is the only unit of area measurement you are given. For example, If you want to know how many hectares are in 17,340 square yards, knowing that 4,840 square yards = 1 acre; then 17,340 square yards/4,840 square yards = 3.583 acres. Now, convert acreage into hectares. Knowing that 1 hectare = 2.471 acres, divide 3.583/2.471 = 1.45 hectares.