How many acres are in a standard section?

A standard section contains 640 acres. This measurement is derived from the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which divides land into sections that are 1 mile by 1 mile. Since there are 5,280 feet in a mile, the area can be calculated as 5,280 feet * 5,280 feet, which equals 27,878,400 square feet. When converted to acres, knowing that 1 acre equals 43,560 square feet, it results in 640 acres for a standard section (27,878,400 square feet / 43,560 square feet per acre = 640 acres). Understanding the layout and dimensions of land surveying is crucial for professionals in title insurance and real estate, as it directly affects land descriptions, transactions, and the legal understanding of property boundaries.