How Many Sections in a Township?

A township contains 36 sections. Each section is one square mile (640 acres), making a full township 36 square miles (23,040 acres).

Township Structure

In the Dominion Land Survey (DLS) system used across Western Canada, a township is a 6-mile by 6-mile square area. This creates a grid of 6 × 6 = 36 sections.

Size Reference

Section Numbering Pattern

Sections are numbered 1-36 in a serpentine (snake-like) pattern, starting from the southeast corner:

Reading the Pattern

1. Start at Section 1 in the southeast corner
2. Move west to Section 6
3. Jump up to Section 7 (directly above Section 6)
4. Move east to Section 12
5. Continue this serpentine pattern until Section 36 in the northeast corner

Why 36 Sections?

The Dominion Land Survey system was designed in the 1870s to efficiently divide Western Canada into manageable parcels for settlement. The 6×6 grid of 36 sections created townships that were:

• Large enough to form administrative units for local government
• Small enough to survey efficiently with the technology of the time
• Easily divisible into quarter sections (160 acres) for homesteads

Historical Significance

Under the Dominion Lands Act, settlers could claim a quarter section (160 acres) as a homestead. This made the 36-section township an ideal administrative unit, as it could be divided into 144 homesteads.

How Big is a Township?

A township covers:

• 36 square miles (93.2 square kilometers)
• 23,040 acres (9,324 hectares)
• 6 miles × 6 miles (9.7 km × 9.7 km)

Township Numbering

Townships themselves are numbered in a grid pattern:

• Township numbers increase northward from the US-Canada border (49th parallel)
• Range numbers indicate the east-west position relative to a Principal Meridian

For example:

• Township 24, Range 1, W5 means: Township 24 (about 144 miles north of the US border), Range 1 (first column west of the 5th Meridian)

Breaking Down a Township

Each township contains:

Find a Section on the Map

Use our converter to locate any section in Western Canada. Enter a section-level description like:

• 25-24-1-W5 — Section 25, Township 24, Range 1, West of 5th Meridian
• 1-50-10-W4 — Section 1, Township 50, Range 10, West of 4th Meridian

Frequently Asked Questions

How many acres is 1 section?

One section is approximately 640 acres (259 hectares), equal to 1 square mile.

How many quarter sections are in a township?

A township contains 144 quarter sections (4 per section × 36 sections).

What is the difference between a section and a township?

A section is 1 square mile (640 acres). A township is 36 square miles (23,040 acres) and contains 36 sections.

How are township numbers assigned?

Township numbers increase northward from the US-Canada border. Township 1 is at the 49th parallel, and numbers increase as you move north.

Related Guides

• What Does LSD Stand For? — Learn about Legal Subdivisions
• Dominion Land Survey System Explained — Complete DLS overview
• Search & Convert Locations — How to use our converter