Naapi (नापी): How Land Is Measured in Nepal
Naapi means “measurement” in Nepali — and in everyday use it covers Nepal’s traditional land units, the cadastral maps, and the government Survey Department (नापी विभाग) that maintains them. This guide explains both unit systems, gives you every conversion table, and shows how to read the area on your Lalpurja.
The two systems at a glance
Nepal uses two traditional land-measurement systems, split roughly by geography:
- Ropani system (hills & Kathmandu valley): 1 Ropani = 16 Aana = 64 Paisa = 256 Daam. One Ropani is exactly 5,476 square feet (508.74 m²); one Aana is 342.25 square feet. Residential plots in Kathmandu are almost always quoted in Aana.
- Bigha system (Terai plains): 1 Bigha = 20 Kattha = 400 Dhur. One Nepal Bigha is 72,900 square feet (6,772.63 m²); one Kattha is 3,645 square feet. Plots in Terai towns are usually quoted in Kattha or Dhur.
Official documents increasingly record area in square metres alongside the traditional units, so being able to convert confidently between all three is essential when buying, selling, or designing.
Reading the area on a Lalpurja
A Lalpurja (लालपुर्जा, the land-ownership certificate) identifies your plot by its kitta (parcel) number and states its area in the district’s traditional units and/or square metres. Three practical checks before any transaction:
- Convert the stated area to square feet with the Plot Area Conversion Calculator and compare it against the price you were quoted per Aana or per Kattha.
- Compare the document area against the physical plot — if they disagree, a kitta napi (official plot survey) from the district Napi office settles the boundary.
- Check the buildable area: municipal FAR and setback rules apply to the plot area, so a conversion mistake propagates into your house design. Use the Setback Calculator once you know the true area.
Nepal land unit conversion tables
| Unit | Equals | Square feet | Square metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ropani | 16 Aana | 5,476 ft² | 508.74 m² |
| 1 Aana | 4 Paisa | 342.25 ft² | 31.80 m² |
| 1 Paisa | 4 Daam | 85.56 ft² | 7.95 m² |
| 1 Daam | — | 21.39 ft² | 1.99 m² |
| Unit | Equals | Square feet | Square metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bigha | 20 Kattha | 72,900 ft² | 6,772.63 m² |
| 1 Kattha | 20 Dhur | 3,645 ft² | 338.63 m² |
| 1 Dhur | — | 182.25 ft² | 16.93 m² |
| Ropani | Square feet | Square metres | Aana |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5,476 | 508.74 | 16 |
| 2 | 10,952 | 1,017.48 | 32 |
| 3 | 16,428 | 1,526.23 | 48 |
| 4 | 21,904 | 2,034.97 | 64 |
| 5 | 27,380 | 2,543.71 | 80 |
| 10 | 54,760 | 5,087.42 | 160 |
| Aana | Square feet | Square metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 342.25 | 31.80 |
| 2 | 684.5 | 63.59 |
| 4 (¼ Ropani) | 1,369 | 127.19 |
| 8 (½ Ropani) | 2,738 | 254.37 |
| 16 (1 Ropani) | 5,476 | 508.74 |
| Kattha | Square feet | Square metres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,645 | 338.63 |
| 2 | 7,290 | 677.26 |
| 5 | 18,225 | 1,693.16 |
| 10 (½ Bigha) | 36,450 | 3,386.32 |
| 20 (1 Bigha) | 72,900 | 6,772.63 |
| From | Ropani system | Bigha system | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bigha | ≈ 13.31 Ropani (≈ 213 Aana) | 20 Kattha | ≈ 1.67 acre |
| 1 Ropani | 16 Aana | ≈ 0.0751 Bigha (≈ 1.50 Kattha) | ≈ 0.126 acre / 508.74 m² |
| 1 Kattha | ≈ 0.67 Ropani (≈ 10.65 Aana) | 20 Dhur | ≈ 0.084 acre |
| 1 Aana | 4 Paisa | ≈ 1.88 Dhur | 342.25 ft² |
| 1 acre | ≈ 7.95 Ropani | ≈ 0.60 Bigha (≈ 11.95 Kattha) | 43,560 ft² |
| 1 hectare | ≈ 19.66 Ropani | ≈ 1.48 Bigha | 107,639 ft² |
Related guides
Quick converters
FAQ
What does Naapi mean?
Naapi (नापी) literally means measurement or survey in Nepali. In practice it refers to Nepal's land measurement system and to the government's Survey Department (नापी विभाग) and its district Napi offices, which maintain cadastral maps and carry out plot surveys.
Which land units are used in Nepal?
Two traditional systems are used: the hills (including Kathmandu valley) use Ropani–Aana–Paisa–Daam, where 1 Ropani = 16 Aana = 5,476 sq ft. The Terai plains use Bigha–Kattha–Dhur, where 1 Bigha = 20 Kattha = 72,900 sq ft. Official documents also record area in square metres.
How is land area written on a Lalpurja?
A Lalpurja (land ownership certificate) records the plot (kitta) number and its area, traditionally in Ropani–Aana–Paisa–Daam or Bigha–Kattha–Dhur depending on the district, and in square metres on newer documents. Always convert and cross-check the stated area before buying — use the free Plot Area Conversion Calculator.
What is a kitta napi (plot survey)?
A kitta napi is an official survey of an individual plot by the district Napi (Survey) office. It verifies the plot's boundaries against the cadastral map, and is commonly needed before subdividing land, resolving boundary disputes, or when the physical plot does not match the map.
How many Aana do I need for a house in Kathmandu?
Most municipalities require a minimum plot size and road setback before approving a house design (naksa pass). A typical small residence in the Kathmandu valley sits on 3–5 Aana (about 1,027–1,711 sq ft); 4 Aana (1,369 sq ft) is the most commonly quoted size. Check FAR and setback rules for your municipality before designing.
Are Bigha and Kattha the same in Nepal and India?
No. The Nepal/Bihar Bigha is 72,900 sq ft with 1 Bigha = 20 Kattha, but the unit varies widely across South Asia — in Bangladesh a Katha is 720 sq ft. Always confirm which regional standard a document or quote uses.