Is an Acre 200 ft by 200 ft? The Real Size of an Acre for Land Buyers

People often assume an acre is something simple-like 200 feet by 200 feet. It sounds neat. Round numbers. Easy to picture. But if you’re looking at land for sale and you’ve been told a plot is an acre because it’s 200 ft by 200 ft, you’re being misled. That’s not an acre. That’s actually more than an acre-and that mistake could cost you money, time, or both.

What’s the real size of an acre?

An acre is exactly 43,560 square feet. That’s the official, legal definition used in the United States and most countries that follow the imperial system. It doesn’t change based on shape, slope, or how pretty the view is. If a seller says a parcel is an acre, it must measure 43,560 square feet-no more, no less.

Now, let’s check that 200 ft by 200 ft claim. Multiply those numbers: 200 × 200 = 40,000 square feet. That’s 3,560 square feet short of a full acre. That’s about the size of a small house with a backyard. In land terms, that’s nearly an eighth of an acre missing. If you’re paying for an acre and getting only 40,000 sq ft, you’re overpaying by about 8%.

Why do people think an acre is 200 ft by 200 ft?

This myth sticks because 200 ft by 200 ft feels intuitive. It’s a square. Easy to visualize. People hear “an acre” and think, “Oh, that’s like a big square lot.” But real land isn’t always square. It’s often irregular-wedge-shaped, L-shaped, or long and narrow.

There’s also a historical reason. In the old days, a common way to describe land was by how much a team of oxen could plow in a day. That became standardized over time. By the 1700s, an acre was defined as one chain (66 feet) wide by one furlong (660 feet) long. That’s 66 × 660 = 43,560 square feet. That’s the origin-and it’s still the law today.

Some real estate agents, especially those new to land sales, repeat the 200 ft by 200 ft idea because it’s simple. But it’s wrong. And when you’re buying land, simplicity shouldn’t override accuracy.

What does an acre actually look like?

Let’s put 43,560 square feet into terms you can see.

• It’s about 75% the size of a standard American football field (without end zones). A football field is 48,000 sq ft. So an acre is just a little smaller.
• It’s roughly 16 tennis courts laid out in a 4x4 grid.
• It’s close to 10 basketball courts side by side.
• On a typical suburban lot, an acre could fit about 10 single-family homes with yards, depending on local zoning.

And here’s the kicker: an acre doesn’t have to be a square. It could be 100 ft wide and 435.6 ft long. Or 50 ft by 871.2 ft. Or even a weird triangle with the right area. As long as the total square footage is 43,560, it’s an acre.

How to check if a parcel is really an acre

Never trust a seller’s word. Always verify. Here’s how:

1. Find the legal description on the listing or deed. It will say something like “Lot 5, Block 3, of Maplewood Subdivision.”
2. Go to your county’s online property appraiser website. Type in the parcel number or address.
3. Look for the “lot size” or “acreage” field. It will show the exact square footage and often a map.
4. Use a free tool like Google Earth Pro. Click the ruler tool, trace the boundary, and it will give you the area in acres or square feet.

Some counties even let you download PDF survey maps. These are the gold standard. They’re drawn by licensed surveyors and filed with the government. If the map says 0.95 acres, then it’s not an acre-no matter what the listing says.

Common land measurement traps

Land sellers aren’t always trying to trick you. But misunderstandings happen. Here are the most common pitfalls:

• “It’s almost an acre” - That’s not good enough. You pay for what you get. If it’s 42,000 sq ft, you’re getting 3.6% less than advertised. That adds up fast when land sells for $10,000 per acre.
• “This includes the road frontage” - Sometimes the front 20 feet of a lot is claimed as part of the acreage, but it’s actually a public easement. You can’t build on it. Don’t count it.
• “It’s 2 acres but only half is usable” - That’s misleading. The total acreage is 2 acres. If 1 acre is swamp or rock, that’s a separate issue. The size hasn’t changed.
• “It’s a quarter section” - In rural areas, people say “quarter section” meaning 160 acres. But if they say “quarter acre,” they mean 0.25 acre-not 25% of a quarter section. Confusion here can lead to buying 40 acres when you thought you were getting 0.25.

What’s the average price per acre?

Land prices vary wildly. In Los Angeles, undeveloped land in the hills can go for $150,000+ per acre. In rural Texas or Georgia, you might find it for $5,000. But here’s the thing: if you’re paying $100,000 for what you think is an acre, but it’s only 40,000 sq ft, you’re really paying $106,250 per actual acre. That’s a hidden cost.

Always calculate price per actual square foot. Divide the price by the verified square footage. Then multiply by 43,560 to get the real price per acre. That’s the only fair way to compare properties.

What should you do before buying land?

Here’s a simple checklist:

• Get the official parcel number from the listing.
• Check the county assessor’s website for the exact acreage.
• Download or print the survey map if available.
• Use Google Earth Pro to measure the boundaries yourself.
• Ask for a copy of the legal description from the seller’s agent.
• Never sign a contract until you’ve verified the size.

It takes 15 minutes. But it can save you thousands-or even prevent you from buying land you can’t build on.

Final thought: Don’t guess. Measure.

An acre is not a guess. It’s a number. 43,560 square feet. Not 40,000. Not 45,000. Exactly that. If someone tells you 200 ft by 200 ft is an acre, they’re either mistaken or trying to make the land seem bigger than it is. Either way, you don’t want to be the one who believes it.

When you’re buying land, the smallest mistake in measurement can turn into the biggest financial error. Don’t let a myth cost you money. Verify. Measure. Know what you’re paying for.