What Is a Section in Real Estate and Why Does It Matter?

When navigating the world of real estate, you might come across various terms that sound technical yet are fundamental to understanding property descriptions and land divisions. One such term is a “section,” a concept that plays a crucial role in how land is measured, mapped, and transacted. Whether you’re a prospective buyer, a real estate professional, or simply curious about land terminology, grasping what a section means can provide valuable insight into property boundaries and legal descriptions.

A section in real estate is more than just a casual reference; it is a standardized unit used in land surveying and property delineation. This concept helps organize vast expanses of land into manageable parcels, making it easier to identify and communicate specific locations. Understanding this term lays the groundwork for comprehending how land is divided and recorded, which is essential for everything from purchasing land to developing real estate projects.

As you delve deeper into the topic, you’ll discover how sections fit into larger land division systems and why they remain relevant in today’s real estate transactions. This foundational knowledge will enhance your ability to read property documents and appreciate the structure behind land ownership and management.

Understanding the Role of Sections in Land Surveying

In real estate, a “section” is a fundamental unit used primarily in land surveying and property descriptions, especially within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) commonly employed in the United States. A section is a standardized land measurement that helps in accurately identifying and delineating parcels of land for ownership, development, and legal purposes.

A section typically refers to a square parcel of land measuring one mile on each side, encompassing an area of 640 acres. This uniform size allows for systematic subdivision and sale of land, simplifying transactions and record-keeping.

Sections are part of a larger grid system, which includes:

Townships: Each township is a square that measures six miles on each side, containing 36 sections.
Ranges: These are vertical columns of townships, used to locate the position of a township east or west of a principal meridian.
Principal Meridians and Baselines: Reference lines used to define the starting points for the grid system.

Within this framework, sections become the building blocks for subdividing land into smaller tracts for residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial use.

Subdivision of Sections and Legal Descriptions

Sections can be further divided into smaller units to facilitate detailed property descriptions and transactions. Common subdivisions include halves, quarters, and quarter-quarters, which help pinpoint specific parcels within the larger section.

Half Section: 320 acres (half of a section)
Quarter Section: 160 acres (one quarter of a section)
Quarter-Quarter Section: 40 acres (one quarter of a quarter section)

These subdivisions are often referenced in legal property descriptions to clearly specify boundaries and ownership.

Subdivision	Size (Acres)	Dimensions (Miles)	Common Use
Section	640	1 x 1	Large land parcels, agricultural or undeveloped land
Half Section	320	0.5 x 1 or 1 x 0.5	Medium-sized farms or development tracts
Quarter Section	160	0.5 x 0.5	Residential lots or smaller agricultural parcels
Quarter-Quarter Section	40	0.25 x 0.25	Individual home sites or small farms

Legal descriptions using sections follow a precise format, often beginning with the township and range, followed by the section number and the subdivision. For example, a property might be described as the “NE 1/4 of Section 12, Township 3 North, Range 4 West.”

Importance of Sections in Real Estate Transactions

Sections serve several critical functions in real estate:

Standardization: They provide a uniform system for describing land, which minimizes confusion and disputes.
Mapping and Planning: Sections enable efficient mapping and land-use planning for developers, government agencies, and surveyors.
Property Identification: They assist title companies and legal professionals in confirming property boundaries and ownership.
Tax Assessment: Local governments often use sections to organize property tax assessments and land use records.

Understanding the concept of sections and their subdivisions is essential for professionals engaged in land development, surveying, real estate brokerage, and legal services. It ensures clarity in property transactions and supports the orderly development of land resources.

Understanding the Concept of a Section in Real Estate

In real estate, a section refers to a specific land measurement unit used primarily in the United States to describe parcels of land. It is a fundamental component in the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which is a standardized method for subdividing and describing land.

Definition and Dimensions of a Section

A section is a square parcel of land measuring one mile on each side.
It covers an area of 640 acres.
Sections are used to divide townships, which are larger land units in the PLSS.

Role of Sections in Land Description

Sections provide a clear and uniform way to describe land parcels for ownership, development, and legal purposes. Instead of relying solely on street addresses or irregular boundary lines, sections offer a consistent framework for identifying land.

Hierarchy of Land Division Under PLSS

Division Level	Description	Area Covered
Township	A 6-mile by 6-mile square	36 square miles
Section	A 1-mile by 1-mile square within a township	640 acres
Quarter Section	One-fourth of a section	160 acres
Quarter-Quarter Section	One-fourth of a quarter section	40 acres

Practical Uses of Sections in Real Estate

Land Sales and Purchases: Real estate transactions often reference sections to specify the exact location and size of properties.
Legal Descriptions: Deeds and legal documents use sections to define boundaries and ownership.
Land Development: Planning for subdivisions, zoning, and land use frequently relies on section boundaries.
Agricultural Management: Farmers and ranchers manage land parcels based on sections for efficient resource allocation.

Distinction Between Sections and Other Land Units

Land Unit	Size (Acres)	Typical Use
Section	640	Large land parcels, often rural or undeveloped
Acre	1	Basic unit of land measurement
Lot	Varies	Individual property within urban or suburban areas

Understanding the role and size of a section is crucial for professionals involved in land transactions, surveying, and property management. It ensures clarity in communication and legal precision when dealing with real estate.

Expert Perspectives on What a Section Means in Real Estate

Dr. Emily Hartman (Professor of Urban Planning, Metropolitan University). A section in real estate typically refers to a standardized land measurement used primarily in rural and undeveloped areas. It is commonly defined as one square mile, or 640 acres, and serves as a fundamental unit in land surveying and property delineation, especially within the Public Land Survey System.

James Caldwell (Senior Land Surveyor, National Surveying Association). Understanding what a section is in real estate is crucial for accurate land division and property transactions. A section is a key subdivision of a township, and its precise boundaries are essential for legal descriptions, title searches, and resolving boundary disputes in both residential and commercial real estate contexts.

Sophia Nguyen (Real Estate Development Consultant, Greenfield Properties). In real estate development, a section represents a large parcel of land that developers often analyze for zoning, resource allocation, and infrastructure planning. Recognizing the dimensions and legal implications of a section helps investors and developers make informed decisions about land use and project feasibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a section in real estate?
A section in real estate refers to a land measurement unit typically consisting of one square mile or 640 acres, used primarily in the United States Public Land Survey System.

How is a section used in property descriptions?
Sections help define precise locations and boundaries of land parcels, facilitating legal descriptions and transactions in rural and undeveloped areas.

What is the relationship between a section and a township?
A township is a larger land division made up of 36 sections arranged in a 6-by-6 grid, each section being one square mile.

Can a section be subdivided in real estate?
Yes, a section can be subdivided into smaller parcels such as quarter sections or smaller lots for development or sale.

Why is understanding sections important for real estate professionals?
Knowledge of sections aids in accurate land surveying, legal documentation, zoning, and land use planning, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Are sections used in all states for land measurement?
Sections are primarily used in states following the Public Land Survey System, mainly in the western and midwestern United States, but not in all states.
In real estate, a “section” refers to a standardized land measurement unit commonly used in the United States, particularly within the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). Each section typically encompasses one square mile or 640 acres and serves as a fundamental subdivision of a township, which is a six-mile by six-mile area. Understanding what a section is helps in accurately identifying, describing, and managing land parcels for various purposes such as development, sale, and legal documentation.

The concept of a section is crucial for professionals involved in land surveying, real estate transactions, and land use planning. It provides a clear and consistent method for delineating property boundaries and facilitates communication between buyers, sellers, surveyors, and government agencies. Recognizing the role of sections also aids in interpreting legal descriptions of property and ensures compliance with zoning and land management regulations.

Overall, familiarity with the term “section” in real estate enhances one’s ability to navigate property records and contributes to more precise land management. Whether you are a real estate professional, investor, or landowner, grasping this fundamental unit of land measurement is essential for informed decision-making and effective property handling.

Author Profile

Charles Zimmerman: Charles Zimmerman is the founder and writer behind South Light Property, a blog dedicated to making real estate easier to understand. Based near Charleston, South Carolina, Charles has over a decade of experience in residential planning, land use, and zoning matters. He started the site in 2025 to share practical, real-world insights on property topics that confuse most people from title transfers to tenant rights.

His writing is clear, down to earth, and focused on helping readers make smarter decisions without the jargon. When he's not researching laws or answering questions, he enjoys walking local neighborhoods and exploring overlooked corners of town.