Hectare

The hectare is a unit of area in the metric system equal to 10,000 square meters. It is commonly used for measuring land areas, particularly in agriculture, forestry, and land management, providing a practical unit for medium to large-scale area measurements.

The hectare was introduced as part of the metric system and was designed to provide a convenient unit for measuring agricultural land and forest areas. The word 'hectare' comes from the Greek 'hekaton' meaning 'hundred' and the French 'are' (from Latin 'area'), originally referring to 100 ares, where an are was 100 square meters.

The hectare is approximately equal to 2.47 acres in the imperial system, making it a practical unit for agricultural and land management applications where the acre was traditionally used.

Hectares are primarily used in agriculture for measuring farm fields, crop areas, and agricultural land. They are the standard unit for agricultural planning, crop yield calculations, and farm management in most countries worldwide.

In forestry and land management, hectares are used for measuring forest areas, conservation zones, and land development projects. They are also commonly used in real estate for measuring large properties, estates, and commercial land areas.

In environmental science and ecology, hectares are used for measuring habitat areas, biodiversity zones, and ecosystem boundaries. They are essential for conservation planning, wildlife management, and environmental impact assessments.

In urban planning and development, hectares are used for measuring city districts, park areas, and development zones. They provide a practical scale for planning large-scale infrastructure and land use projects.

The hectare is a non‑SI metric unit accepted for use with the SI. By definition, 1 hectare = 10,000 m² (i.e., 100 ares).

The hectare is recognized worldwide and is the standard unit for agricultural and land‑management applications, ensuring consistency in area reporting across countries and sectors.