Area Converter

Convert between different units of area including metric and imperial measurements.

Value

From Unit

To Unit

Notes:

Conversion results are rounded to 6 decimal places for precision.
The metric system (square meters, hectares, etc.) is used internationally as the standard system of measurement.
The imperial system (square feet, acres, etc.) is primarily used in the United States and some other countries.
Hectares and acres are commonly used for measuring land area and agricultural fields.

Understanding Area Measurements

Area is a measure of the amount of space inside a two-dimensional shape or surface. Throughout history, civilizations have developed various systems to measure area, often tied to land ownership and agriculture. Today, we primarily use two systems: the metric system (used globally) and the imperial system (used mainly in the United States and a few other countries).

Area Conversion Formulas

Converting between different units of area requires specific formulas based on the relationship between units. Here are some common conversion formulas:

Metric Conversions:

1 square kilometer (km²) = 1,000,000 square meters (m²)
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 square meters (m²)
1 are (a) = 100 square meters (m²)

Imperial/US Customary Conversions:

1 square mile (mi²) = 640 acres (ac)
1 acre (ac) = 43,560 square feet (ft²)
1 square yard (yd²) = 9 square feet (ft²)
1 square foot (ft²) = 144 square inches (in²)

Metric to Imperial Conversions:

1 square meter (m²) = 10.7639 square feet (ft²)
1 square foot (ft²) = 0.092903 square meters (m²)
1 hectare (ha) = 2.47105 acres (ac)
1 acre (ac) = 0.404686 hectares (ha)
1 square kilometer (km²) = 0.386102 square miles (mi²)
1 square mile (mi²) = 2.58999 square kilometers (km²)

Common Area Units Comparison

This table provides a comparison of different area units to help visualize their relative sizes:

Unit	Symbol	System	Equivalent in m²	Common Uses
Square Inch	in²	Imperial	0.00064516 m²	Small objects, electronics
Square Foot	ft²	Imperial	0.092903 m²	Room sizes, small spaces
Square Yard	yd²	Imperial	0.836127 m²	Carpeting, flooring
Square Meter	m²	Metric	1 m²	Standard unit, property size
Are	a	Metric	100 m²	Small land plots
Acre	ac	Imperial	4,046.86 m²	Land parcels, farms (US)
Hectare	ha	Metric	10,000 m²	Land parcels, farms (global)
Square Mile	mi²	Imperial	2,589,988 m²	City districts, large regions
Square Kilometer	km²	Metric	1,000,000 m²	Cities, countries, large regions

History of Area Measurements

Throughout history, humans have used various methods to measure area:

Ancient agricultural units: Many early area units were based on the amount of land that could be plowed in a day or the amount of seed required for planting.
Roman measurements: The Romans used the jugerum, equivalent to about 0.25 hectares, as a standard unit of land measurement.
Acre: Traditionally defined as the area a yoke of oxen could plow in one day, now standardized at 43,560 square feet.
Regional variations: Many regions had their own local area units like the mórg (Central Europe), mu (China), and tsubo (Japan).

The metric system was developed during the French Revolution in the late 18th century, establishing the square meter as the standard unit of area measurement, with related units like the hectare developed for agricultural land measurement.

Metric vs. Imperial Systems for Area

Metric System

The metric system is based on units of 10, making conversions simple. The base unit for area is the square meter, with hectares commonly used for large land areas.

Used by most countries globally
Easy decimal-based conversions
Consistent naming (square meter, square kilometer)
Hectare = 100m × 100m = 10,000 m²
Square kilometer = 1,000m × 1,000m = 1,000,000 m²

Imperial/US Customary System

The imperial system has historical roots with less consistent ratios between units. Common area units include square feet, acres, and square miles.

Primarily used in the United States
Based on traditional measurements
Non-decimal conversions between units
Acre = 43,560 square feet
Square mile = 640 acres

Practical Applications of Area Conversion

Real estate and property: Converting between square meters and square feet for international property listings
Agriculture: Converting between hectares and acres for farm management
Construction: Converting between square feet and square meters for building plans
Interior design: Converting between square yards and square meters for flooring and carpeting
Land development: Converting between different units for zoning and planning
Environmental conservation: Measuring protected lands in various units for international reporting
Urban planning: Converting between square kilometers and square miles for city development

How to Calculate Area for Common Shapes

Rectangle

Area = Length × Width

Example: A rectangular field measuring 100 meters by 50 meters has an area of 5,000 square meters (0.5 hectares).

Square

Area = Side² (Side squared)

Example: A square plot with sides of 25 feet has an area of 625 square feet.

Circle

Area = π × Radius²

Example: A circular garden with a radius of 3 meters has an area of approximately 28.27 square meters.

Triangle

Area = ½ × Base × Height

Example: A triangular property with a base of 40 meters and a height of 30 meters has an area of 600 square meters.

Tips for Accurate Area Conversions

Frequently Asked Questions About Area Conversions

What is the difference between an acre and a hectare?

An acre is an imperial unit equal to 43,560 square feet or about 4,047 square meters. A hectare is a metric unit equal to 10,000 square meters. One hectare is approximately 2.47 acres, while one acre is about 0.4047 hectares. Hectares are used in most countries worldwide, while acres are primarily used in the US, UK, and some Commonwealth countries.

How many square feet are in an acre?

There are exactly 43,560 square feet in one acre. This conversion is important for property measurements in the United States, where land is often measured in acres but building dimensions are typically in square feet.

Which is larger: a square kilometer or a square mile?

A square mile is larger than a square kilometer. One square mile equals approximately 2.59 square kilometers. Conversely, one square kilometer equals about 0.386 square miles. This is important to understand when comparing geographic areas, especially when reading international statistics or maps.

How do I convert square meters to square feet?

To convert square meters to square feet, multiply the number of square meters by 10.7639. For example, 100 square meters equals approximately 1,076.39 square feet. For a quick estimate, you can multiply square meters by 10.8 or simply multiply by 11 for a rough approximation.

What's the difference between an are and a hectare?

Both are and hectare are metric units of area. An are (a) equals 100 square meters, while a hectare (ha) equals 10,000 square meters. Therefore, one hectare contains 100 ares. The are is less commonly used today, but hectares remain the standard unit for measuring large land areas in most countries.

How do I calculate the area of an irregularly shaped plot of land?

To calculate the area of an irregularly shaped plot, you can divide it into simple geometric shapes (triangles, rectangles), calculate the area of each, and add them together. For more complex shapes, surveyors use specialized instruments and techniques like the "coordinate method" or "triangulation." Modern GPS and GIS technology can also provide accurate measurements of irregular land areas.

Area Converter - Convert between different units of area