Square Mile to Section Converter
Unit Converter
Instant · Precise · Universal
23 units available
6 categories total
How to Convert Square Mile to Section
To convert mi² to km²: multiply by 2.59. To acres: multiply by 640. To hectares: multiply by 259.
1 mi² = 640 acres = 27,878,400 ft² = 2.59 km² = 259 ha.
For example, 1 Square Mile (mi²) = 1 Section (section).
Square Mile to Section — Common Values
| Square Mile (mi²) | Section (section) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 25 | 25 |
| 50 | 50 |
| 100 | 100 |
| 500 | 500 |
| 1000 | 1000 |
About Square Mile (mi²)
Definition
The square mile is an imperial unit of area equal to the area of a square with sides of one mile (2.59 km²).
Mathematical Relationship
1 mi² = 640 acres = 27,878,400 ft² = 2.59 km² = 259 ha.
Conversion Formula
To convert mi² to km²: multiply by 2.59. To acres: multiply by 640. To hectares: multiply by 259.
Practical Applications
City areas, county sizes, population density, land surveys, and geographic comparisons.
Interesting Facts
Manhattan is about 22.8 mi². The state of Texas is 268,596 mi². Rhode Island (smallest US state) is 1,214 mi².
Common Mistakes
1 mi ≈ 1.609 km, but 1 mi² ≈ 2.59 km² (not 1.609). Area conversion squares the factor.
Educational Tips
1 mi² = 640 acres. This 'section' (640 acres) is the basis of the US Public Land Survey System grid.
About Section (section)
Definition
A section is a unit of land area equal to 1 square mile (640 acres or 2.59 km²), used in the US Public Land Survey System.
Mathematical Relationship
1 section = 1 mi² = 640 acres = 2.59 km². 36 sections = 1 township.
Conversion Formula
To convert sections to acres: multiply by 640. To km²: multiply by 2.59.
Practical Applications
Rural property descriptions, agricultural land division, mineral rights, and road grid planning in the western US.
Interesting Facts
Section 16 in every township was traditionally reserved for public schools — a major source of early American education funding.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting that sections are numbered in a specific serpentine pattern within a township (1 in NE, snaking to 36).
Educational Tips
The US west of Ohio is largely divided into a grid of 1-mile sections. Look at Google Maps in rural areas to see the grid patterns.