How It Works

In Nigeria and several other countries, land is commonly sold in “plots” rather than square feet or meters. A standard plot equals 5,000 square feet, which comes from the typical 50 feet by 100 feet rectangular parcel. The conversion is simple:

So if you have 10,000 square feet, that equals exactly 2 plots. If someone offers you 1.5 plots, that’s 7,500 square feet. The math is straightforward once you know the 5,000 square foot standard.

This matters because property listings mix units constantly. One seller quotes in plots, another in square feet, a third in acres. You need to convert everything to compare fairly. A “half plot” at ₦5 million should cost the same per square foot as “2,500 square feet” at the same location and quality.

Why 5,000 Square Feet Became Standard

The 50×100 foot plot became standard during colonial times when land was subdivided for residential development. Those dimensions worked well for typical house sizes, provided enough yard space, and fit neatly into larger parcels when developers carved up estates.

It stuck because it’s practical. A 50-foot frontage gives you room for a driveway and front yard. The 100-foot depth allows for the house, setbacks, and a backyard. Most Nigerian house designs from the past 50 years assume this approximate size.

Common Plot Conversions

Here are the most common plot sizes you’ll encounter when buying land, with their equivalents in square feet and other units.

What If the Plot Isn’t Exactly 50×100 Feet?

Many plots deviate from the standard dimensions. You might see 45×100, 60×120, or irregular shapes. In these cases, multiply length by width to get total square feet, then divide by 5,000 to see how many “standard plots” that equals.

A 60×120 plot is 7,200 square feet, which equals 1.44 plots. Even though it’s labeled “one plot” by the seller, you’re actually getting 44% more land than a standard plot. This matters when comparing prices. If standard plots cost ₦10 million, a 60×120 should cost around ₦14.4 million if fairly priced.

How Many Plots Are in an Acre?

One acre equals 43,560 square feet. Divide that by 5,000 and you get 8.712 plots per acre. In practice, estate developers fit about 6 to 7 plots per acre after accounting for roads, drainage, and common areas.

So when someone says they’re selling “5 acres,” that could theoretically be 43.56 plots. But the actual developable number is closer to 30-35 plots depending on the layout. Always ask for the exact number of sellable plots, not just the total acreage.

Can I Buy Fractional Plots?

Yes, sellers commonly offer half plots (2,500 sq ft) and quarter plots (1,250 sq ft). These are just subdivisions of standard plots. A half plot typically measures 25×100 feet or 50×50 feet, depending on how they split it.

Be careful with small plots. Check local building codes to ensure the size meets minimum requirements for residential construction. Some areas require at least 300 square meters (about 3,230 sq ft or 0.65 plots) for a building permit. A quarter plot might not be buildable depending on your location.

What If My Survey Shows Different Numbers?

Surveys measure actual boundaries, which rarely match advertised dimensions perfectly. A plot sold as “50×100” might actually be 49.8×99.2 feet (4,941.6 sq ft). That’s 0.988 plots instead of 1.0. Small discrepancies are normal.

But if your survey shows 45×90 feet (4,050 sq ft) when you paid for a full plot, that’s only 0.81 plots. You’re short by 19%. Confront the seller immediately with the survey results. Either renegotiate the price or demand a refund. Don’t close the transaction until the size is verified and matches what you’re paying for.

Does Location Change Plot Size?

Yes. While 50×100 ft (5,000 sq ft) is the most common standard, some areas use different measurements. Parts of Abuja use 60×120 plots (7,200 sq ft). Some northern states have even larger standards. Rural areas might not use the “plot” concept at all, selling only in acres or hectares.

Always ask for the actual dimensions in feet or meters. Don’t assume “one plot” means 5,000 square feet unless you’ve confirmed it. Verify with the survey, not the seller’s word. The legal document shows the truth.

How Do I Calculate Price Per Plot?

If land is quoted in square feet or acres, convert to plots first, then calculate the per-plot price. For example, 3 acres at ₦50 million equals about 26.14 plots (3 × 8.712), which is roughly ₦1.91 million per plot.

This helps you compare across different listings. One seller quotes ₦2 million per plot. Another quotes ₦17.4 million per acre. Convert the second to per-plot (₦17.4M ÷ 8.712 = ₦2M per plot) and you see they’re actually the same price. Now you can compare based on location, title status, and other factors instead of being confused by different units.

What About Commercial Plots?

Commercial plots are often larger than residential ones. You might see 100×100 feet (10,000 sq ft or 2 plots) or even bigger. The “plot” label is less useful for commercial land because sizes vary so much based on intended use.

For commercial purchases, work in square feet or square meters rather than plots. Calculate your space requirements based on the business model, then find land that fits. Don’t let the “plot” terminology constrain your thinking when sizing commercial properties.

Should I Buy Land Measured in Plots or Acres?

Doesn’t matter. The unit is just how people describe it. What matters is the actual size and price per square foot or square meter. Use this calculator to convert everything to a common standard, then compare on that basis.

Sellers use whichever unit makes their pricing sound better. Small parcels get quoted in plots because “half plot” sounds more concrete than “2,500 square feet.” Large parcels get quoted in acres because “10 acres” sounds cleaner than “87.12 plots.” Your job is to see through the marketing and compare actual sizes at actual prices.

How Precise Should My Conversion Be?

For casual comparison, one decimal place is fine. If a listing shows 7,500 square feet, knowing that’s 1.5 plots is enough to get a sense of scale. But for legal documents, contracts, and payments, use exact square footage from the survey.

Don’t negotiate or sign contracts based on rounded plot numbers. If your survey shows 4,873 square feet, that’s 0.9746 plots. Don’t let the seller round up to “one full plot” and charge you accordingly. Pay for what you’re actually getting, calculated to the exact square foot.

What If I Need to Convert Meters to Plots?

First convert meters to feet (multiply by 3.28084), then to plots. Or convert to square meters, then use the fact that one standard plot equals about 464.52 square meters. So 1,000 square meters equals roughly 2.15 plots.

The calculator handles this automatically. If you’ve got dimensions in meters, multiply length by width to get square meters, convert to square feet (multiply by 10.764), then divide by 5,000 to get plots. Or just use an online converter to save the mental math.

Why Do Some Listings Show Both Plots and Square Feet?

To appeal to different buyers. Some people think in plots, others in square feet. Showing both removes confusion and makes the listing accessible to more potential buyers. It’s good practice and shows the seller is being transparent about the actual size.

If a listing only shows one unit and you need the other, just convert it yourself. Don’t ask the seller because they might round in their favor. Do your own math with exact numbers so you know precisely what you’re considering.