How to Measure the Land Using a Trace Map in Nepal (Super Easy Guide!)
Are you building a house? Buying land? Or just trying to understand how big your land really is in Nepal?
Then this guide is just for you!
We’ll show you exactly how to measure your land using a trace map step by step, in super simple language so easy that even a Grade 2 student can understand.
Whether you're in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, or any village in Nepal, this method will help you calculate your land area in ropani, aana, paisa, daam, or square feet/meters, without hiring anyone!
What is a Trace Map?
A trace map (tracing paper map) is a small drawing of your real land. It shows the shape and boundary of your land, but it's not actual size.
Imagine your land is as big as a football field. The trace map is just a mini drawing of that field on a piece of paper. So, we need to multiply to know the real size.
Why You Need to Measure Land Using a Trace Map
In Nepal, land records are often handwritten or kept as maps in the land revenue office. When you want to:
Buy or sell land
Start construction
Build a house
Avoid land disputes
Estimate property value
...you need to know the exact area of your land. And if all you have is a trace map, this guide will help you measure it 100% accurately.
Tools You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy!)
You don’t need any special machine or engineer. Just:
Your trace map
A scale/ruler (in mm)
A calculator (or mobile)
And a little focus!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Land Using a Trace Map in Nepal
Step 1: Find the Scale on Your Map
Look at the corner of your trace map. You’ll see something like:
Scale: 1:500
This means → 1 mm on the map = 500 mm (or 0.5 meters) on the land
This is very important. This scale helps us convert the small map into real land measurements.
Step 2: Measure Each Side of the Land
Take a ruler and measure the sides of your land drawing:
📏 AB = ______ mm
📏 BC = ______ mm
📏 CD = ______ mm
📏 DA = ______ mm
📏 Also measure one diagonal, like BD = ______ mm
Write them down.
Step 3: Multiply With Scale to Get Real Size
Let’s say your scale is 1:500, and AB is 40 mm on the map.
👉 Real AB = 40 × 500 = 20,000 mm = 20 meters
Do this for all sides and diagonal. Now you have the real-world dimensions of your land.
Step 4: Calculate Area (Simple Formula or Tool)
You can now use a free online calculator (search "Trace Map Area Calculator Nepal") or use formulas like:
For rectangle: length × breadth
For irregular shape: use Heron’s Formula or split into triangles
Or you can draw the shape on graph paper and count squares.
Step 5: Convert Into Nepali Units (Ropani, Aana, Paisa, Daam)
In Nepal, land is measured like this:
1 Ropani = 16 Aana
1 Aana = 4 Paisa
1 Paisa = 4 Daam
1 Ropani = 5476 sq.ft
So, once you get area in sq.ft, divide it to get your land size in Ropani-Aana-Paisa-Daam.
Example:
10,000 sq.ft = 1.825 Ropani = 1 Ropani 13 Aana 1 Paisa 1 Daam (approx.)
Real-Life Example (To Make It Crystal Clear)
Imagine this is your trace map:
AB = 35 mm
BC = 40 mm
CD = 30 mm
DA = 45 mm
BD (diagonal) = 50 mm
Scale = 1:500
Multiply each by 500 = you get real sides
Put into calculator = you get area in sq.m
Convert to sq.ft → then to ropani, aana, paisa, daam
Done!
Pro Tips for Best Accuracy
Use sharp pencil and good ruler
Measure carefully from corner to corner
If your land shape is complex, break it into triangles
Take photo and save for records
Compare your result with official land papers
Who Should Read This?
This guide is 100% perfect for:
First-time home builders
Nepali families planning to build houses
Students learning about land area
Realtors and land brokers
Anyone with a trace map in hand!