Section to Square Mile (US Survey) Converter
Unit Converter
Instant · Precise · Universal
23 units available
6 categories total
How to Convert Section to Square Mile (US Survey)
To convert sections to acres: multiply by 640. To km²: multiply by 2.59.
1 section = 1 mi² = 640 acres = 2.59 km². 36 sections = 1 township.
For example, 1 Section (section) = 0.999996 Square Mile (US Survey) (mi² (US)).
Section to Square Mile (US Survey) — Common Values
| Section (section) | Square Mile (US Survey) (mi² (US)) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0999996 |
| 0.5 | 0.499998 |
| 1 | 0.999996 |
| 2 | 1.999992 |
| 5 | 4.99998 |
| 10 | 9.99996 |
| 25 | 24.9999 |
| 50 | 49.9998 |
| 100 | 99.9996 |
| 500 | 499.998 |
| 1000 | 999.996 |
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.
About Square Mile (US Survey) (mi² (US))
Definition
The US survey square mile is a historical area unit based on the US survey foot, equal to approximately 2,589,998.47 m².
Mathematical Relationship
1 mi² (US) ≈ 2,589,998.47 m². Differs from international mi² (2,589,988.11 m²) by about 10.36 m².
Conversion Formula
To convert US survey mi² to km²: multiply by 2.590. To international mi²: multiply by ~1.000004.
Practical Applications
Historical US Public Land Survey System sections (each nominally 1 mi² US survey).
Interesting Facts
Over one square mile, the US survey definition differs from the international definition by about 10.4 m² — roughly a 3 m × 3.5 m room.
Common Mistakes
Using the US survey mile for new calculations. Deprecated since 2023 — use the international definitions.
Educational Tips
The US Survey system was a legacy from 1893. Its 2023 retirement unified US measurements with the international standard.