Use the calculator below to instantly convert any plot size:
Quick Presets Available: 40×80 | 50×100 | 100×100 | 150×100 | 100×200 | 200×200
What You’ll Get: #
- Area in square meters, acres, and hectares
- Dimensions in both feet and meters
- Perimeter length for fencing estimates
- Number of fence posts needed
- Blocks required for perimeter wall
- Development potential for your plot size
Imagine you’re at a plot viewing in Ruiru. The agent says “this is a nice 50 by 100.” You nod, pretending to understand. Then your friend WhatsApps you about their “1/8 acre” in Thika for the same price. Your cousin mentions buying “0.05 hectares” in Kitengela. You’re standing there wondering: are these the same size or completely different?
You pull out your phone and search “50 by 100 plot in hectares” and find yourself more confused than before. One site says it’s 1/8 acre. Another shows 0.0465 hectares. A broker’s listing calls it “approximately 500 square meters” (it’s actually 465). You’re trying to compare three plots but everyone’s speaking a different measurement language.
Here’s the truth: they’re all talking about roughly the same plot size, but nobody’s being exact. And that “roughly” is what we are seeking to debunk.
What Is a 50 by 100 Plot in Kenya? #
A 50 by 100 plot means 50 feet by 100 feet. That’s 5,000 square feet total.
When you convert that to other measurements:
- 50 by 100 in square meters: 464.52 square meters (about 465 sqm)
- 50 by 100 in acres: 0.1148 acres (mathematically closer to 1/9 of an acre)
- 50 by 100 in hectares: 0.0465 hectares
- 50 by 100 in meters: 15.24m × 30.48m
- Perimeter: 300 feet or 91.44 meters
But here’s where Kenya gets confusing: everyone CALLS a 50×100 plot “1/8 acre” even though it’s technically 0.1148 acres (closer to 1/9 acre). It’s just the common name for it.
The “1/8 Acre” Confusion Explained #
This trips up almost everyone buying land for the first time.
- What Kenyans call “1/8 acre”: A standard 50×100 plot (0.1148 acres)
- What 1/8 acre actually is mathematically: 0.125 acres (about 5,445 square feet)
- The difference: A true mathematical 1/8 acre is about 445 square feet bigger than a 50×100 plot
So when a broker says “I have a 1/8 acre plot,” they almost always mean a 50×100. It’s become the standard name, even if the math is slightly off.
Why does this matter? Because if you’re comparing plots and someone is selling an ACTUAL 1/8 acre (0.125 acres), you’re getting more land than a standard 50×100. But most of the time, “1/8 acre” just means 50×100.
Always ask for the exact dimensions in feet. Don’t assume.
Standard Plot Sizes in Kenya: What You Need to Know #
Let’s clear up the confusion about common plot sizes:
| Plot Size | Square Feet | Square Meters | Acres | Common Name | Typical Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40×80 | 3,200 | 297.29 | 0.0734 | 1/10 acre | Umoja, Donholm, Pipeline |
| 50×100 | 5,000 | 464.52 | 0.1148 | 1/8 acre | Ruiru, Thika, Kiambu |
| 100×100 | 10,000 | 929.03 | 0.2296 | 1/4 acre | South C, Langata |
| 150×100 | 15,000 | 1,393.55 | 0.3444 | 1/3 acre | Karen, Runda, Kitisuru |
| 100×200 | 20,000 | 1,858.06 | 0.4591 | 1/2 acre | Kiambu, Ruaka, Kajiado |
Notice how the fractional names (1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2) are all APPROXIMATE? That’s just how Kenya does it. The dimensions in feet are what actually matter.
50 by 100 Plot in Metres: The Breakdown #
Most construction plans in Kenya use meters, not feet. Your 50 by 100 plot in metres is 15.24m × 30.48m = 464.52 square meters.
This matters when you’re:
- Planning your house design with an architect
- Calculating fencing costs (perimeter is 91.44 meters)
- Figuring out building setbacks (usually 10 feet from boundaries)
- Estimating materials for your perimeter wall
Quick fencing math for 50×100:
- Fence posts needed: ~37 posts (at 2.5m spacing)
- Blocks for 6ft wall: ~1,189 blocks
What Can You Actually Build on a 50 by 100 Plot? #
After leaving the required setbacks (typically 10 feet from boundaries according to Kenya’s building regulations), your actual building area is more like 40×90 or 45×95 feet.
What fits on 50×100:
- 3 bedroom house with small compound
- Parking for 1-2 cars
- Small garden
- Maybe a small servant quarter if you design smart
Water needs: Standard borehole (50-100m depth) or county water connection with 5,000-10,000 liter storage tank.
Price range: 800K in far suburbs to 3M+ in established areas like Ruiru, Thika, Kiambu, Machakos, Kitengela. Before committing to a purchase, make sure you can afford the monthly payments – use our loan repayment calculator to budget for your mortgage or construction loan repayments.
How to Actually Compare Plot Sizes #
Here’s where people get scammed: comparing plots without calculating price per square meter.
Let’s say you’re looking at three plots:
- Plot A: 50×100 at 1.8M
- Plot B: 40×80 at 1.4M
- Plot C: 100×100 at 2.8M
Most people think Plot B is the best deal because it’s cheapest. Wrong.
Price per square meter reveals the truth:
- Plot A: 465 sqm = 3,871 per sqm
- Plot B: 297 sqm = 4,714 per sqm (22% more expensive!)
- Plot C: 929 sqm = 3,014 per sqm (cheapest per sqm)
Plot C offers the best value. Plot B is the worst deal even though the total price is lowest.
Formula: Total Price ÷ Square Meters = Price per Square Meter
The broker won’t do this math for you. Use the calculator above to compare any plots instantly.
40 by 80 Plot in Hectares: The Compact Urban Option #
A 40 by 80 plot is one of the smallest residential plots you’ll find in Kenya. Here’s what you’re actually getting:
40 by 80 measurements:
- 3,200 square feet
- 297.29 square meters
- 0.0734 acres (about 1/10 acre)
- 0.0297 hectares
- Dimensions in meters: 12.19m × 24.38m
- Perimeter: 240 feet or 73.15 meters
Where you’ll find 40×80 plots: High-density estates in Umoja, Donholm, Pipeline, Kayole, Githurai, parts of Ruiru and Juja.
What fits on 40×80:
- 1-2 bedroom house
- Small compound (very limited outdoor space)
- Parking for 1 car (tight fit)
- After setbacks, building area is about 30×70 feet
Price range: 400K-1.5M depending on location. Calculate price per square meter (divide by 297) to see if you’re overpaying. Planning to buy? Check if you can afford the payments using our loan repayment calculator to budget for your land loan.
40×80 fencing costs:
- Perimeter: 73.15 meters
- Chain link: 59,000 – 88,000
- Stone wall: 219,000 – 366,000
Pros of 40×80: Cheaper entry point, easier to fence, lower land rates, good for rental investment.
Cons of 40×80: Limited building space, tight for family home, hard to subdivide, resale can be slower.
100 by 100 Plot in Acres: The Quarter Acre Sweet Spot #
A 100 by 100 plot gives you serious space to work with. Here’s the breakdown:
100 by 100 measurements:
- 10,000 square feet
- 929.03 square meters
- 0.2296 acres (close to 1/4 acre)
- 0.0929 hectares
- Dimensions in meters: 30.48m × 30.48m
- Perimeter: 400 feet or 121.92 meters
Where you’ll find 100×100 plots: South C, Langata, Karen (older plots), Kiambu, Ruaka, Rongai, Ngong, parts of Kitengela and Machakos.
What fits on 100×100:
- 4-5 bedroom house comfortably
- Large compound with garden
- Parking for 3-4 cars
- Servant quarter or guest house
- Swimming pool (if that’s your thing)
- After setbacks, building area is about 80×80 or 90×90 feet
Price range: 2M-8M depending on location. Price per square meter should be 2,000-8,600 per sqm.
100×100 fencing costs:
- Perimeter: 121.92 meters
- Chain link: 98,000 – 146,000
- Stone wall: 366,000 – 610,000
Development potential: Perfect size for family home, can support borehole, enough space for solar panels, good resale value, some counties allow subdivision into two 50×100 plots.
Want to learn more about quarter-acre plots? Check out our guide on How Large is 1/4 Acre Land in Kenya: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying.
100 by 100 Plot in Hectares vs 50 by 100 #
Let’s compare these two popular sizes side by side:
| Feature | 50×100 | 100×100 |
|---|---|---|
| Square Meters | 464.52 | 929.03 |
| Hectares | 0.0465 | 0.0929 |
| Acres | 0.1148 (1/8) | 0.2296 (1/4) |
| Perimeter | 91.44m | 121.92m |
| Fence Posts Needed | ~37 | ~49 |
| Bedrooms (typical) | 3 | 4-5 |
| Cars | 1-2 | 3-4 |
The math: A 100×100 is exactly DOUBLE the area of a 50×100. But the perimeter is only 33% longer, so fencing costs don’t double.
When to choose 100×100 over 50×100:
- You want servant quarters or guest house
- Planning a swimming pool or large garden
- Need parking for multiple cars
- Buying in an area where 100×100 plots are standard
- Future subdivision potential matters to you
When 50×100 is enough:
- Budget is tight (100×100 plots cost 80-100% more)
- You’re building a 3 bedroom family home
- Location matters more than size
- Lower ongoing costs (land rates, fencing maintenance)
40 by 80 Plot in Hectares: Is It Worth It? #
The 40×80 (0.0297 hectares) is controversial. Some people say it’s too small, others say it’s perfect for singles or young couples. Here’s the real talk:
What works on 40×80:
- Modern 2 bedroom maisonette
- Single-story 2 bedroom bungalow
- Rental apartments (2-3 units if county allows)
- Small office or clinic
What doesn’t work on 40×80:
- Traditional 3 bedroom with large compound
- Swimming pool
- Multiple cars
- Large garden
- Subdivision (way too small)
The smart play with 40×80: Buy in a growing area where 40×80 is standard (like Juja, parts of Ruiru, Kitengela). Build rental units. The lower entry cost means better ROI if you rent out.
Red flags with 40×80: Avoid if:
- It’s the only 40×80 in an area of 50×100 plots (hard resale)
- Price per sqm is higher than nearby 50×100 plots
- County has strict setback rules (you’ll have almost no building space)
- You need space for a family home
Cost of Fencing Different Plot Sizes in Kenya #
Here’s how perimeter affects your fencing budget:
| Plot Size | Perimeter | Chain Link | Stone Wall (6ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40×80 | 73.15m | 59,000 – 88,000 | 219,000 – 366,000 |
| 50×100 | 91.44m | 73,000 – 110,000 | 274,000 – 457,000 |
| 100×100 | 121.92m | 98,000 – 146,000 | 366,000 – 610,000 |
| 100×200 | 182.88m | 146,000 – 219,000 | 549,000 – 914,000 |
Add gate costs (15K-50K) to your total.
Fencing cost per meter in Kenya:
- Chain link: 800-1,200
- Concrete posts + barbed wire: 1,500-2,500
- Stone wall (6ft high): 3,000-5,000
- Prefab concrete wall: 2,500-4,000
Pro tip: Bigger plots have longer perimeters but better cost efficiency. A 100×100 has 33% more perimeter than 50×100 but double the land area.
50 by 100 Plot for Sale Nairobi: What to Watch For #
Before signing anything, verify these 8 things:
- Get exact dimensions in feet – Don’t accept “1/8 acre” as an answer
- Run an official land search – Visit Ardhisasa (Ksh 500) to see registered owner, exact size, and any disputes
- Calculate price per square meter – Use the calculator below to compare with other plots
- Check the shape – 50×100 is rectangular (1:2 ratio). If it’s almost square, it’s not 50×100
- Walk the perimeter – Count fence posts. Should be ~37 posts at 2.5m spacing
- Check county setback rules – Learn about land zoning regulations for your county
- Verify seller’s ID – Name on title deed must match seller’s ID exactly
- Hire a surveyor – Spend 20K-30K to confirm physical plot matches title deed
Most scams happen because buyers skip step 2 and 8. They trust the broker, sign papers, then discover they bought a 40×80 instead of 50×100. That’s 1,800 square feet of missing land.
Using the Free Plot Size Calculator #
Stop doing mental math during site visits. The calculator shows you instantly:
Conversions:
- Square meters, acres, and hectares
- Feet and meters dimensions
- Perimeter length for fencing quotes
Practical information:
- Fence posts needed
- Blocks for perimeter wall
- Development potential
- Water requirements
- Typical locations
- Setback information
Standard presets: 40×80, 50×100, 100×100, 150×100, 100×200, 200×200
Enter custom dimensions for unusual plot sizes.
Quick Answers to Common Questions #
Is 50 by 100 actually 1/8 acre?
No, it’s 0.1148 acres (closer to 1/9). But everyone in Kenya calls it “1/8 acre” anyway.
How is 50×100 different from 40×80?
40×80 is 36% smaller—you lose 1,800 square feet. That’s the difference between fitting a servant quarter or not.
Can I subdivide a 50 by 100 plot?
Check with your county through the Ministry of Lands subdivision procedures. Most counties won’t allow subdivisions smaller than 1/8 acre.
What’s the perimeter of a 50 by 100 plot?
300 feet or 91.44 meters—critical for fencing and wall construction budgets.
Can I trust a broker who says “1/8 acre”?
Ask for exact dimensions in feet. If they can’t give you numbers, walk away.
Calculate Your Plot Size Right Now #
Stop trusting brokers who switch between acres, feet, and hectares to confuse you.
Stop wondering if you’re getting scammed.
Use the calculator above. Enter any plot dimensions. Get instant conversions and practical information.
Bookmark this page. Share it with friends looking at land. Because the biggest purchase of your life deserves better than guesswork and broker promises.
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