Ares to Hectares Converter
This calculator converts ares (a) to hectares (ha) and back again, using the exact metric relationship that one hectare equals 100 ares. It matters because ares still turn up in older European land records and some overseas property listings, while New Zealand land area is almost always quoted in hectares or square metres, so you need a quick, reliable way to move between the two. Enter a value in ares and choose how many decimal places you want in the answer, or work the other way by entering hectares directly, since the two fields update independently and clear each other automatically. The calculator instantly returns the equivalent in hectares and square metres in the results bar, then breaks the figure down further into acres and square kilometres, alongside a worked example showing the exact division or multiplication by 100 used to reach the answer. A plain-language result line summarises the conversion in words, and a quick reference table further down lists common are values against their matching hectare, square metre and acre figures for fast lookup. Because both units are defined within the metric system as exact powers of ten, there is no rounding error in the underlying maths, only in how many decimal places you choose to display.
1. Enter Area in Ares
2. Reverse: Enter Hectares
Enter a value in hectares to convert back to ares. The two fields update independently.
Conversion Breakdown
Worked Example
Quick Reference Table
| Ares (a) | Hectares (ha) | Square Metres (m²) | Acres |
|---|
What Is an Are?
The are (symbol: a) is a metric unit of area equal to 100 square metres. It was introduced alongside the metre in France during the 1790s as part of the original metric system. The are is defined in the International System of Units (SI), though it is classified as a non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI. In modern usage, the are itself is rarely used directly. However, its derivative the hectare (100 ares = 10,000 m²) remains one of the most widely used units of land area worldwide.
The Conversion Formula
The relationship between ares and hectares is exact and defined by the SI:
- 1 are (a) = 100 square metres (m²)
- 1 hectare (ha) = 100 ares = 10,000 m²
- To convert ares to hectares: divide by 100 (or multiply by 0.01)
- To convert hectares to ares: multiply by 100
There is no rounding involved. The conversion is exact because both units are defined within the metric system using powers of 10.
Area Unit Comparison
| Unit | Symbol | Square Metres | Ares | Hectares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square metre | m² | 1 | 0.01 | 0.0001 |
| Are | a | 100 | 1 | 0.01 |
| Hectare | ha | 10,000 | 100 | 1 |
| Square kilometre | km² | 1,000,000 | 10,000 | 100 |
| Acre | ac | 4,046.86 | 40.4686 | 0.404686 |
Where Ares Are Still Used
While most countries now use hectares and square metres for land area, the are (or its plural, ares) still appears in some contexts:
- Older European land records, particularly in France and Switzerland, where the unit originated
- Some agricultural and surveying documents in Continental Europe
- Historical property deeds and cadastral maps
- The centiare (1/100 of an are = 1 m²) is sometimes used for small plot measurements
In New Zealand, land area is measured in square metres for smaller plots and hectares for farms and larger landholdings. Neither ares nor centiares appear in common New Zealand usage.
Practical Examples
To put ares in context:
- 1 are = 100 m², roughly the floor area of a large New Zealand house
- 10 ares = 0.1 ha = 1,000 m², about the size of a typical suburban section
- 100 ares = 1 ha = 10,000 m², a standard hectare (about 2.47 acres)
- 500 ares = 5 ha = 50,000 m², a small hobby farm block
Related Calculators
- Essential Calculators hub: all converters and tools.
- Acres to Hectares Converter: convert imperial acres to metric hectares.
- Area Conversion Calculator: convert between all common area units.
- Area Calculator: calculate the area of rectangles, circles, and other shapes.
Sources and method: International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition, 2019. Conversion: 1 a = 100 m² (exact); 1 ha = 100 a (exact). Acre conversion: 1 ac = 4,046.8564224 m² (exact, per international agreement 1959).
All conversions on this page are exact within the metric system. The acres conversion uses the international acre (4,046.8564224 m²) and is accurate to 10 significant figures.