Length · Unit Converter

Convert Square Kilometer to Section

Convert square kilometers to sections instantly. 1 square kilometer = 0.3861021585 section — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Section to Square Kilometer 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

Metric / SI

Square Kilometer

What is a 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.

Origin of the square kilometer

Derived by squaring the kilometer (1000 m). The kilo- prefix comes from the Greek 'chilioi' (thousand).

Where it is used

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.

When and where it was developed

Kilometer has been part of the metric system since 1795.

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.

Square Kilometer to Section conversion formula

The relationship between square kilometers and sections:

1 km² = 0.3861021585 sec
1 sec = 2.5899881103 km²

To convert square kilometers to sections, multiply the value in square kilometers by 0.3861021585. To reverse, multiply sections by 2.5899881103.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in sections updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Section to Square Kilometer converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert square kilometers to sections

  1. Write down the value in square kilometers (km²).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 0.3861021585.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in sections (sec).
  4. To reverse, multiply the section value by 2.5899881103.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 km² to sec:
1 × 0.3861021585 = 0.3861021585 sec

Example 2 — Convert 100 km² to sec:
100 × 0.3861021585 = 38.6102158542 sec

Square Kilometer to Section conversion table

Standard reference values for converting square kilometers to sections:

Square Kilometer [km²]Section [sec]
0.010.0038610216
0.10.0386102159
10.3861021585
20.7722043171
31.1583064756
41.5444086342
51.9305107927
103.8610215854
207.7220431708
3011.5830647563
4015.4440863417
5019.3051079271
10038.6102158542
500193.0510792712
1000386.1021585424

Frequently asked questions

How many sections is 1 square kilometer?
1 square kilometer equals 0.3861021585 section.
How do I convert square kilometers to sections?
Multiply the value in square kilometers by 0.3861021585 to get sections.
How do I convert sections back to square kilometers?
Multiply the value in sections by 2.5899881103, or use the Section to Square Kilometer converter.
How many sections is 100 square kilometers?
100 square kilometers equals 38.6102158542 sections, because 100 × 0.3861021585 = 38.6102158542.

Convert Square Kilometer to other area units

Show all Square Kilometer conversions
Metric / SI (15 units)
Imperial / US Customary (15 units)
US Survey (5 units)
Indian Subcontinent (16 units)
Other Regional (10 units)
Scientific / Physics (5 units)
Historical / Pre-metric European (6 units)

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 km² = 0.3861021585 sec) verified against the following authoritative sources:

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