Length · Unit Converter

Convert Section to Square US Survey Mile

Convert sections to square us survey miles instantly. 1 section = 0.9999960001 square us survey mile — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square US Survey Mile to Section converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

US Survey

Section

What is a 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).

Origin of the section

Defined by the Land Ordinance of 1785 as 1/36 of a township. Sections are numbered 1-36 within each township.

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

Defined by the US Land Ordinance of 1785.

US Survey

Square US Survey Mile

What is a square us survey mile?

A square US survey mile is approximately 2,589,998 m², slightly larger than the international square mile.

Origin of the square us survey mile

Derived by squaring the US survey mile (5280 US survey feet).

Where it is used

Square US survey miles appear in older US Public Land Survey System records and state plane coordinate systems pre-dating 2023.

When and where it was developed

Defined in 1893; retired January 2023.

Section to Square US Survey Mile conversion formula

The relationship between sections and square us survey miles:

1 sec = 0.9999960001 smi²
1 smi² = 1.0000039999 sec

To convert sections to square us survey miles, multiply the value in sections by 0.9999960001. To reverse, multiply square us survey miles by 1.0000039999.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in square us survey miles 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 US Survey Mile to Section converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert sections to square us survey miles

  1. Write down the value in sections (sec).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.9999960001.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in square us survey miles (smi²).
  4. To reverse, multiply the square us survey mile value by 1.0000039999.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 sec to smi²:
1 × 0.9999960001 = 0.9999960001 smi²

Example 2 — Convert 100 sec to smi²:
100 × 0.9999960001 = 99.9996000127 smi²

Section to Square US Survey Mile conversion table

Standard reference values for converting sections to square us survey miles:

Section [sec]Square US Survey Mile [smi²]
0.010.00999996
0.10.0999996
10.9999960001
21.9999920003
32.9999880004
43.9999840005
54.9999800006
109.9999600013
2019.9999200025
3029.9998800038
4039.9998400051
5049.9998000064
10099.9996000127
500499.9980000637
1000999.9960001274

Frequently asked questions

How many square us survey miles is 1 section?
1 section equals 0.9999960001 square us survey mile.
How do I convert sections to square us survey miles?
Multiply the value in sections by 0.9999960001 to get square us survey miles.
How do I convert square us survey miles back to sections?
Multiply the value in square us survey miles by 1.0000039999, or use the Square US Survey Mile to Section converter.
How many square us survey miles is 100 sections?
100 sections equals 99.9996000127 square us survey miles, because 100 × 0.9999960001 = 99.9996000127.

Convert Section to other area units

Show all Section conversions

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 sec = 0.9999960001 smi²) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.