How Many Square Metres Are 1 Are and 1 Hectare of Land?
How many square metres is 1 are is a question that frequently comes up when buying land, a plot or when reading Belgian property listings. 1 are (a) is exactly 100 m², while 1 hectare (ha) covers 10,000 m² - a significant difference that is crucial when calculating prices. These units come from the metric system and are mainly used for agricultural land, building plots and parcels. Getting the conversion wrong can lead to costly mistakes when investing or purchasing. This article explains how to convert them and what they mean for the Belgian property market.
How many square metres is 1 are?
One are is a unit of area equal to 100 square metres, equivalent to a rectangle of 10 m × 10 m.
Conversion:
- 1 a = 100 m²
- m² to a: divide by 100 (e.g. 500 m² = 5 a)
| Are (a) | m² |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1,000 |
| 25 | 2,500 |
| 100 | 10,000 |
Ares are often used for medium-sized plots such as gardens or small building plots (ca for centiare = 1 m²).
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Compare agents →How much is 1 hectare of land?
1 hectare = 100 ares = 10,000 m² (100 m × 100 m).
Conversion:
- 1 ha = 10,000 m²
- m² to ha: divide by 10,000 (e.g. 50,000 m² = 5 ha)
| Hectare (ha) | m² |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 100 |
| 0.1 | 1,000 |
| 1 | 10,000 |
| 10 | 100,000 |
The hectare is the standard unit for agricultural land and large plots.
Why are these units used in real estate?
In Belgium, ares and hectares appear in:
- Cadastral records: plots are expressed in a/ha/ca.
- Agricultural land: average price of €68,934/ha (2024, ~€6.89/m²).
- Building plots: size expressed in ares (e.g. 8-are garden).
- Property listings: plot size.
Agricultural land prices (2024-2025):
| Province / Region | Price/ha (€) | Price/m² (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Flanders average | 68,934 | 6.89 |
| West Flanders | Higher (~€80k/ha) | ~€8 |
| Luxembourg province | Lower (~€37k/ha) | ~€3.70 |
Prices rise annually by ~2-3%.
Practical examples for buyers
- Plot of 10 ares (1,000 m²): typical garden for a terraced house.
- Agricultural plot of 1 ha (10,000 m²): costs ~€70,000, ideal as an investment.
- Plot conversion: 2.5 ha = 25,000 m² = 250 ares.
Tip: check the cadastral plan via Myloopings for the exact m².
Investment perspective
Buying land by the are or hectare pays off over the long term: agricultural land generates rental income through farming leases (~€343/ha/year). Building land is more expensive per m², but holds potential for rezoning.
When selling, clear communication in ares/m² prevents disputes.
For an accurate valuation of your plot or property with land, request a free estimate. A real estate agent will handle the conversions and place them in the context of current market prices.
Frequently asked questions
How many square metres is 1 are?
One are (a) equals exactly 100 square metres, which is the same as a rectangle of 10 m x 10 m. To convert square metres to ares, simply divide by 100.
How many square metres is 1 hectare?
One hectare equals 10,000 square metres, or 100 ares. To convert square metres to hectares, divide by 10,000.
Why are ares and hectares used in Belgian property listings?
These units appear in cadastral records, agricultural land listings, and building plot descriptions. In Belgium, plot sizes are officially registered in ares, hectares, and centiares in cadastral documents.
What is the average price of agricultural land in Belgium in 2024?
The Flanders average is around 68,934 euros per hectare, which works out to roughly 6.89 euros per square metre. Prices vary by province, with West Flanders higher at around 80,000 euros per hectare and Luxembourg province lower at around 37,000 euros per hectare.
Can buying agricultural land be a good investment?
Agricultural land can generate rental income through farming leases, averaging around 343 euros per hectare per year. Land prices also tend to rise annually by approximately 2-3%, and building land holds additional potential if rezoning occurs.
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