How to Read Lalpurja Area Notation in Nepal

When you look at a Lalpurja (land ownership certificate) in Nepal, the land area is typically not written in square feet or square meters. Instead, it is written using a four-number or three-number hyphenated format. This guide explains how to read and convert those numbers.

The two land measurement systems

Nepal uses two distinct traditional systems to measure land depending on the geography:

  • Hill and Valley System: Ropani, Aana, Paisa, and Daam. Used in Kathmandu Valley and hilly regions.
  • Terai System: Bigha, Kattha, and Dhur. Used in the southern plains.

Reading Ropani-Aana-Paisa-Daam (e.g., 0-4-2-1)

If your land is in the hills or Kathmandu, the area is recorded in four parts: Ropani, Aana, Paisa, and Daam. When you see a notation like 0-4-2-1, it reads directly from left to right:

  • 0 Ropani
  • 4 Aana
  • 2 Paisa
  • 1 Daam

To understand the relative size, keep these divisions in mind:
1 Ropani = 16 Aana
1 Aana = 4 Paisa
1 Paisa = 4 Daam

Reading Bigha-Kattha-Dhur (e.g., 1-5-10)

If your land is in the Terai region, the area is recorded in three parts: Bigha, Kattha, and Dhur. A notation like 1-5-10 means:

  • 1 Bigha
  • 5 Kattha
  • 10 Dhur

The conversion works like this:
1 Bigha = 20 Kattha
1 Kattha = 20 Dhur

Convert your Lalpurja area instantly

You do not need to do the math manually. We have built a simple tool where you can enter the area from your Lalpurja and instantly see it in square feet, square meters, hectares, and other standard units used in Nepal.