Guide
How to measure acreage
Whether you’re measuring a lot, field, farm, or vacant land, acreage is simply the total area expressed in acres. Search an address or landmark, trace the boundary, and instantly measure acreage from a satellite map.
It works just as well for a backyard as it does for a multi-acre property — as long as the boundary is visible from above.
Opens the free tool on your property — no sign-up to start.
Step by step
Find the land on the map
Search an address or nearby landmark, then zoom out until the entire property is visible.
Trace the perimeter
Trace the property boundary by clicking around the edges, then close the shape. Add more points around curves for greater accuracy.
View the acreage instantly
The tool calculates the area automatically and displays both square feet and acres.
Quick acreage reference
Common acreage conversions for quick reference:
- 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft
- ½ acre = 21,780 sq ft
- ¼ acre = 10,890 sq ft
- 5 acres = 217,800 sq ft
- 1 acre ≈ 208.7 ft × 208.7 ft (a square)
- 1 acre ≈ 0.405 hectares
Measuring larger parcels
For larger properties, zoom out until the entire boundary is visible before tracing. Natural features like tree lines, roads, fences, streams, and field edges often help define the property.
The more closely your trace follows the boundary, the more accurate your acreage measurement will be.
Common uses for acreage measurements
Acreage measurements come up in all kinds of situations:
- Buying land
- Selling property
- Hunting land
- Farms
- Ranches
- Vacant lots
- Permits
- Property research
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in an acre?
Exactly 43,560 square feet. To convert a measured area to acres, divide the square footage by 43,560.
Can I measure acreage without walking the land?
Yes. As long as the boundary is visible from satellite imagery, you can trace it from your desk and get the acreage.
How accurate is online acreage measurement?
For estimating and planning it’s very reliable; accuracy depends on how closely you trace the boundary. For a legal acreage figure, use a survey.
Can I measure vacant land?
Yes. As long as you can identify the property’s boundary from satellite imagery or parcel boundaries, you can measure vacant land just like any other property.