Convert Section to Square Kilometer
Convert sections to square kilometers instantly. 1 section = 2.5899881103 square kilometer — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Kilometer to Section converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Section
A section is a unit of area used in the US Public Land Survey System, equal to 1 square mile (640 acres or approximately 2.59 km²).
Defined by the Land Ordinance of 1785 as 1/36 of a township. Sections are numbered 1-36 within each township.
Sections are the fundamental unit of US public land records in PLSS states (essentially the central and western US). Property descriptions like 'NE quarter of section 14, township 3 north, range 2 east' use this system.
Defined by the US Land Ordinance of 1785.
Square Kilometer
A square kilometer is a metric unit of area equal to 1,000,000 m² (one million square meters), or 100 hectares. It is used for measuring large land areas, regional geography, and country-scale statistics.
Derived by squaring the kilometer (1000 m). The kilo- prefix comes from the Greek 'chilioi' (thousand).
Square kilometers express the area of cities, districts, lakes, forests, and entire countries. India's total area is approximately 3,287,263 km². 1 km² equals 100 hectares or about 247.105 acres.
Kilometer has been part of the metric system since 1795.
Section to Square Kilometer conversion formula
The relationship between sections and square kilometers:
To convert sections to square kilometers, multiply the value in sections by 2.5899881103. To reverse, multiply square kilometers by 0.3861021585.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in square kilometers updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Square Kilometer to Section converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert sections to square kilometers
- Write down the value in sections (sec).
- Multiply that value by the factor 2.5899881103.
- The product is the equivalent value in square kilometers (km²).
- To reverse, multiply the square kilometer value by 0.3861021585.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 sec to km²:
1 × 2.5899881103 = 2.5899881103 km²
Example 2 — Convert 100 sec to km²:
100 × 2.5899881103 = 258.9988110336 km²
Section to Square Kilometer conversion table
Standard reference values for converting sections to square kilometers:
| Section [sec] | Square Kilometer [km²] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.0258998811 |
| 0.1 | 0.258998811 |
| 1 | 2.5899881103 |
| 2 | 5.1799762207 |
| 3 | 7.769964331 |
| 4 | 10.3599524413 |
| 5 | 12.9499405517 |
| 10 | 25.8998811034 |
| 20 | 51.7997622067 |
| 30 | 77.6996433101 |
| 40 | 103.5995244134 |
| 50 | 129.4994055168 |
| 100 | 258.9988110336 |
| 500 | 1294.994055168 |
| 1000 | 2589.988110336 |
Frequently asked questions
How many square kilometers is 1 section?
How do I convert sections to square kilometers?
How do I convert square kilometers back to sections?
How many square kilometers is 100 sections?
Popular area unit conversions
Convert Section to other area units
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Metric / SI (5 units)
Imperial / US Customary (3 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 sec = 2.5899881103 km²) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Astronomical Union — System of Astronomical Constants
The IAU defines astronomical units including the AU (149597870700 m exactly) light-year and parsec used in astronomy and astrophysics.