Acre (ac)

Definition

An acre (abbreviated as ac) is a unit of area commonly used in the United States and other countries that use customary measurement systems. One acre is defined as 43,560 square feet or 4,840 square yards. It is not an SI unit.

History

The acre's origin dates back to the Middle Ages, derived from the amount of land that could be plowed in one day with a yoke of oxen. In the 19th century, it became standardized for agricultural purposes and has been widely used in land measurement since.

Uses

Acres are primarily used in real estate, agriculture, and land planning. In countries like the U.S., it’s common for measuring large plots of land, while in the UK, the acre remains a traditional unit for farmland.

Conversions

• 1 acre = 0.4047 hectares
• 1 acre = 4,046.86 square meters
• 1 acre = 0.0015625 square miles (exact)

Fun Facts

• Common misconception: An acre is often thought of as a square area, but it can be any shape, as long as the total area is 43,560 square feet.
• The term "acre" comes from the Old English word "æcer," meaning "field."