Gaj vs Square Yard vs Square Feet: How the Three Relate
At the plot convention 1 gaj = 1 square yard = 9 square feet. A comparison table with square metres, the linear-yard confusion, and the one case (the 8.91 square guz) where the identity breaks.
Explainer
1 gaj = 1 square yard = 9 square feet. That is the relationship at the convention used on North-India plot listings and deeds. Everything below is the detail behind it and the one place it breaks.
The three units
Square foot. A square with one-foot sides. The unit builders use for carpet area, built-up area and, on portals, for plots.
Square yard. A square with three-foot sides, so 3 × 3 = 9 square feet. The international unit; also common on Punjab and Haryana listings.
Gaj. The traditional North-India land unit. On deeds and listings it is treated as 9 square feet, which makes it the same area as a square yard.
Comparison table
| Unit | Square feet | Square yards | Gaj | Square metres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 square foot | 1 | 0.111 | 0.111 | 0.0929 |
| 1 square yard | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0.8361 |
| 1 gaj (plot) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0.8361 |
| 1 square guz (Google) | 8.914 | 0.990 | 0.990 | 0.8281 |
| 1 square metre | 10.764 | 1.196 | 1.196 | 1 |
The fourth row is the exception, covered below.
The linear-yard confusion
A yard is a length: three feet. A square yard is an area. When someone says a plot is “20 gaj by 45 gaj”, they are using gaj as a length, meaning yards, and the plot is 20 × 45 = 900 square yards = 900 gaj of area. That is nine times larger than a plot described as “100 gaj”. The word is the same; the unit is not. On a deed, gaj is an area.
When the identity breaks
Google Units defines a square guz at about 8.91359 square feet. Under that figure a gaj is 0.9904 square yards, not 1. If a converter or brochure was built on the guz figure, its square-yard and gaj columns will not match, and its square-feet column will be about 1% lower than the deed convention. The gaj vs guz article has the full comparison.
Worked example
A listing says 100 gaj.
- Square yards: 100 (same number).
- Square feet: 100 × 9 = 900.
- Square metres: 900 × 0.09290304 = 83.61.
At the guz figure the same 100 gaj would be 99.04 square yards, 891.36 square feet and 82.81 square metres.
Which to quote
Quote what the document quotes. A deed in gaj stays in gaj. A builder’s brochure in square feet stays in square feet. Add the conversion in brackets with the factor stated: “100 gaj (900 sq ft at 9)”. Never mix a guz-derived number with a deed number without saying so.
Questions people ask
Is gaj the same as square yard?
At the plot convention, yes. Both are 9 square feet. Only the 8.91 square guz figure breaks the match.
What is the difference between gaj and square yard?
None in area at 9 square feet. Gaj is the deed word; square yard is the international unit.
What is the difference between gaj and square feet?
One gaj is nine square feet.
What is the difference between square feet and square yard?
One square yard is nine square feet, a 3 ft × 3 ft square.
How many square yards in one gaj?
One.
Gaj vs square yard vs square feet: which to use?
Use the unit on the document you are reading, and state the factor when you convert.
Square feet and yard difference?
A yard is 3 feet of length. A square yard is 9 square feet of area.