Ropani, aana, bigha and kattha
Understand the Hill (Ropani) and Terai (Bigha) land measurement systems used in Nepal and how they convert to square feet and square metres.
Practical, verified guidance written for everyday work in Nepal.
1. The Hill measurement system: Ropani, Aana, Paisa, Daam
Across the Kathmandu Valley and hilly regions of Nepal, land is traditionally measured in the Ropani system. One Ropani equals 5,476 square feet (approximately 508.74 square metres) and is divided into 16 Aana. Each Aana (342.25 sq. ft.) is divided into 4 Paisa (85.5625 sq. ft.), and each Paisa is divided into 4 Daam (21.390625 sq. ft.).
2. The Terai measurement system: Bigha, Kattha, Dhur
Across the southern plains (Terai) of Nepal, land is measured in the Bigha system. One Bigha equals 72,900 square feet (approximately 6,772.63 square metres) and is divided into 20 Kattha. Each Kattha (3,645 sq. ft.) is divided into 20 Dhur (182.25 sq. ft.). One Bigha is equivalent to approximately 13.3126 Ropani, and one Kattha is approximately 10.65 Aana.
3. How to convert mixed lalpurja notation (R-A-P-D)
When a land record lists 1 Ropani, 8 Aana (written 1-8-0-0), remember that 8 Aana is 8 / 16 = 0.5 Ropani. Entering 1.8 Ropani into a decimal calculator would mistakenly calculate 14.4 Aana instead of 8 Aana. Either convert the Ropani and Aana parts separately or convert the total Aana count (16 + 8 = 24 Aana) directly.
4. Modern metric records on Cadastral maps
Newer digital cadastral registers and municipal building permit forms in Nepal increasingly record plot areas in Square Metres (sq. m.) alongside traditional units. One square metre equals approximately 10.76391 square feet.
5. Worked example: converting a mixed Hill or Terai plot to Square Feet
Suppose your Hill lalpurja lists a plot of 0 Ropani - 5 Aana - 2 Paisa - 0 Daam (0-5-2-0). To calculate the exact area in square feet:
- 5 Aana:
5 × 342.25 sq. ft. = 1,711.25 sq. ft. - 2 Paisa:
2 × 85.5625 sq. ft. = 171.125 sq. ft. - Total Area:
1,711.25 + 171.125 = 1,882.375 sq. ft.(or174.878 sq. m., which equals5.5 Aana).
In the Terai system, a plot of 0 Bigha - 2 Kattha - 10 Dhur (0-2-10) equals (2 × 3,645) + (10 × 182.25) = 7,290 + 1,822.50 = 9,112.50 sq. ft. (or 2.5 Kattha).
Complete Hill (Ropani) and Terai (Bigha) conversion chart
| Unit Name | System | Subunit Relation | Square Feet | Square Metres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ropani | Hill | = 16 Aana = 64 Paisa = 256 Daam | 5,476.00 sq. ft. | 508.74 sq. m. |
| 1 Aana | Hill | = 4 Paisa = 16 Daam | 342.25 sq. ft. | 31.80 sq. m. |
| 1 Paisa | Hill | = 4 Daam | 85.56 sq. ft. | 7.95 sq. m. |
| 1 Daam | Hill | Base Hill subunit | 21.39 sq. ft. | 1.99 sq. m. |
| 1 Bigha | Terai | = 20 Kattha = 400 Dhur | 72,900.00 sq. ft. | 6,772.63 sq. m. |
| 1 Kattha | Terai | = 20 Dhur (approx. 10.65 Aana) | 3,645.00 sq. ft. | 338.63 sq. m. |
| 1 Dhur | Terai | Base Terai subunit | 182.25 sq. ft. | 16.93 sq. m. |
| 4 Aana (Typical Urban Plot) | Hill | = 16 Paisa = 0.25 Ropani | 1,369.00 sq. ft. | 127.18 sq. m. |
| 10 Dhur (Half Kattha Plot) | Terai | = 0.50 Kattha (approx. 5.33 Aana) | 1,822.50 sq. ft. | 169.32 sq. m. |