Old Texas units converter
Old Texas deeds and field notes measure land in varas, labors and leagues. Convert them to modern feet and acres.
Quick reference
- 1 vara
- 33 1/3 in = 2.7775 ft, Texas 1919
- 36 varas
- 100 feet
- 1,900.8 varas
- 1 mile
- 5,645.4 square varas
- 1 acre
- 1 labor
- 1,000,000 square varas ≈ 177.1 acres
- 1 league
- 25,000,000 square varas ≈ 4,428.4 acres
- 1 Gunter’s chain
- 66 feet = 100 links = 4 rods
A short history
The vara is a Spanish unit of length used in Spanish and Mexican land grants in Texas. Its exact length varied from place to place, so Texas fixed the vara at 33 1/3 inches; Wikipedia notes that this was set by law in June 1919, and the Texas Natural Resources Code (§21.077) still defines it that way today.
Early land grants were measured in large square units built from the vara. A labor (1,000,000 square varas, about 177 acres) was farmland, and a league (25,000,000 square varas, about 4,428 acres) was grazing land. Settlers under Mexican colonization law commonly received a league and a labor together.
Later surveys used Gunter’s chain, 66 feet long and divided into 100 links. Ten square chains make an acre. Many East Texas deeds mix varas, chains and feet, which is one reason an old description needs a surveyor’s interpretation.
Sources: Handbook of Texas Online (TSHA), “Vara”; Texas General Land Office, “Categories of Land Grants in Texas”; Texas Natural Resources Code §21.077; Wikipedia, “Vara”. Results are rounded and for reference only.
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