1 ankanam is 8 square yards (72 sq ft) in Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh. In Rayalaseema, including Tirupati, a smaller ankanam of 4 square yards (36 sq ft) is reported. So to change ankanam to square yards, multiply by 8, or by 4 in Rayalaseema.
What is an ankanam?
Ankanam (అంకణం) is a small Telugu unit for house sites and town plots. It is used in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, alongside the square yard (gajam). It is also heard near the Andhra and Telangana border in Karnataka. Farm land in these states is measured in acres, guntas and cents, not in ankanams.
Size of 1 ankanam
These are commonly used values. No government page stating the ankanam was found, and the smaller Rayalaseema value rests on a single source.
Size of one ankanam by region
| Region | 1 ankanam in sq ft | In sq m | In square meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh | 72 | 6.689 | 6.689 |
| Rayalaseema (for example Tirupati) | 36 | 3.3445 | 3.3445 |
| Region | Sq ft | Sq yd | Sq m | Ankanam in 1 acre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh | 72 | 8 | 6.69 | 605 |
| Rayalaseema (for example Tirupati) | 36 | 4 | 3.34 | 1,210 |
Ankanam to square yard
| Ankanam | Sq yd (8 per ankanam) | Sq ft | Sq yd (Rayalaseema) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 72 | 4 |
| 5 | 40 | 360 | 20 |
| 10 | 80 | 720 | 40 |
| 20 | 160 | 1,440 | 80 |
| 25 | 200 | 1,800 | 100 |
| 50 | 400 | 3,600 | 200 |
| 100 | 800 | 7,200 | 400 |
Going the other way, divide square yards by 8. A 200 sq yd house site is 25 ankanam, and a 150 sq yd site is 18.75 ankanam.
1 acre in ankanam
1 acre is 43,560 sq ft, or 4,840 sq yd. Divide by 8 and you get 605 ankanam. On the Rayalaseema measure, 1 acre is 1,210 ankanam. In the same way:
- 1 gunta = 15.125 ankanam (gunta of 1,089 sq ft)
- 1 cent = 6.05 ankanam
- 1 kuncham (484 sq ft, as used in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) = 6.7222 ankanam
The Telugu land chain
- 1 ankanam = 8 sq yd (gajam) = 72 sq ft
- 1 gunta = 33 ft x 33 ft = 121 sq yd
- 1 cent = 48.4 sq yd
- 1 acre = 40 gunta = 100 cents = 4,840 sq yd
What common house sites look like
- A 30 ft by 60 ft site is 1,800 sq ft, which is 200 sq yd or 25 ankanam.
- A 30 ft by 45 ft site is 1,350 sq ft, which is 150 sq yd or 18.75 ankanam.
- A 40 ft by 60 ft site is 2,400 sq ft, which is 266.67 sq yd or 33.33 ankanam.
When one seller quotes a price per ankanam and another quotes per square yard, divide the ankanam price by 8 to compare them fairly. If the seller means the Rayalaseema ankanam, divide by 4 instead. The same price per ankanam then buys only half the land, so this one question can change the deal.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every ankanam is 8 sq yd. In Rayalaseema, ask first.
- Mixing the ankanam with the kuncham. They are different units, and the kuncham itself has two reported values (484 sq ft in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 4,356 sq ft in north Karnataka).
How to convert ankanam
- Ankanam to square feet: multiply by 72. Example: 30 ankanam = 2,160 sq ft.
- Ankanam to square yard: multiply by 8. Example: 30 ankanam = 240 sq yd.
- Ankanam to square metre: multiply by 6.689. Example: 30 ankanam = 200.67 sq m.
Use ankanam to square feet, square yard to square feet or acre to guntha. State guides: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Practical tips
- Registration of non agricultural plots in Telangana uses square yards. Convert ankanam to square yards before you compare a sale deed.
- If your plot is in Chittoor, Tirupati or elsewhere in Rayalaseema, ask whether the ankanam is 4 or 8 sq yd. The difference doubles the area.
- For a sale, confirm the extent with the mandal revenue office and check the land record on Bhu Bharati (Telangana) or Meebhoomi (Andhra Pradesh).
Questions people ask
Ankanam to square yard?
1 ankanam is 8 square yards in Telangana and coastal Andhra Pradesh. In Rayalaseema a 4 square yard ankanam is reported, so check locally.
1 acre in ankanam?
1 acre is 605 ankanam on the 8 square yard measure, or 1,210 ankanam on the Rayalaseema measure.
1 ankanam in square feet?
1 ankanam is 72 sq ft in most of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and 36 sq ft in Rayalaseema.
How many ankanam in 200 square yards?
200 square yards is 25 ankanam on the standard measure, or 50 ankanam on the Rayalaseema measure.
Is ankanam used for farm land?
No. Ankanam is used for house sites and town plots. Farm land in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is measured in acres, guntas and cents.
Local units can differ inside a state. Before a sale, partition or court filing, confirm the unit with your tehsil, circle or revenue office and check the land record. How we check our numbers.