measuring an acre

[circlew]

Does anyone know a formula to walk off an acre?

[LRTX1]

Well, an acre is 43,560 sq ft. Most folks step between 2.5 to 3 feet per step.

I would use google earth and their measuring tools if it were me and only needed a fairly accurate measurment (as accurate as walking). Hardly ever break a sweat that way.

[regolith]

only in metric. You need to know your regular stride length first. If you're a tall guy it might be exactly a metre (3 ft 4 inches) so metric would be good.

[circlew]

I walked off an acre and it just didn't seem right. I went by the 43560ft. Thanks for the google earth suggestion didn't even think about that.

[ohiosteve]

Has anyone else noticed the difference in surface area between an acre of hillside and an acre of flatland? I have an 8 acre pasture (according to my overhead view property map) that is a perfect rectangle and the whole pasture is on a moderate slope and also an 8 acre pasture on top of the hill and almost completely flat that is the same size almost exactly according to the map. When I mow hay, the hillside pasture takes noticably longer at the same speed, I bet theres at least 3 extra windrows in that field. I know I'm slow but that is something to consider when measuring an acre.

[M5farm]

Each side will be approx 70 steps

[JSCATTLE]

I walked off an acre and it just didn't seem right. I went by the 43560ft. Thanks for the google earth suggestion didn't even think about that.

It should be close to 209 feet by 209 feet . Get at 200 foot tape and you can mark it off .

[circlew]

I'm getting ready to start my MIG grazing. My paddocks will be more rectangled than square. But I feel better now about walking it off before.

[dun]

Has anyone else noticed the difference in surface area between an acre of hillside and an acre of flatland? I have an 8 acre pasture (according to my overhead view property map) that is a perfect rectangle and the whole pasture is on a moderate slope and also an 8 acre pasture on top of the hill and almost completely flat that is the same size almost exactly according to the map. When I mow hay, the hillside pasture takes noticably longer at the same speed, I bet theres at least 3 extra windrows in that field. I know I'm slow but that is something to consider when measuring an acre.

Stands to reason. If you set a dime at a 45 degree angle it will look oval, lay it flat and it's round

[LRTX1]

OhioSteve,

What you might be noticing is the difference between "slope distance" and "horizontal distance" Basically, if you think of a right triangle, the difference between the hypotenuse and horizontal sides, only on a planed surface.

[ohiosteve]

OhioSteve,

What you might be noticing is the difference between "slope distance" and "horizontal distance" Basically, if you think of a right triangle, the difference between the hypotenuse and horizontal sides, only on a planed surface.

That is over my head, but I wonder how the surveying is done. I live along the side of a valley which is unique for my area. I think I have more acres (measured by surface area) on the sloped portion of my property, than is shown from an overhead view. My deed even has some notations on it saying something about variations due to the difficult slopes and the surveying methods available at the time. I will dig it up and look at it when I get a chance.

[jedstivers]

Chains X chains divided by 10. 1 chain = 66'.

[ohiosteve]

Chains X chains divided by 10. 1 chain = 66'.

That is over my head also. What do you mean by 'chains'?

[LRTX1]

A chain is a unit of measurement. Just like a foot is 12 inches, a chain happens to be 66 feet. Surveyors used to use an actual steel chain that was 66 feet long, that chain had 100 links in it. It was the basis of all measurments. A "section" is one mile squared. 5280 feet is exactly 80 chains. Its just how they used to meaure everything.

[1982vett]

66 ft. x 660ft.