Area Converter - Free Online Tool

Convert area units instantly. Support for 10+ units including Square Meter, Square Kilometer, Square Centimeter. Free calculator with formula and table.

📐 Area Converter

Select your units from the lists below

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From Unit
  • Square Meter

    Symbol:

  • Square Kilometer

    Symbol: km²

  • Square Centimeter

    Symbol: cm²

  • Square Millimeter

    Symbol: mm²

  • Square Mile

    Symbol: mi²

  • Square Yard

    Symbol: yd²

  • Square Foot

    Symbol: ft²

  • Square Inch

    Symbol: in²

  • Acre

    Symbol: acre

  • Hectare

    Symbol: ha
To Unit
  • Square Meter

    Symbol:

  • Square Kilometer

    Symbol: km²

  • Square Centimeter

    Symbol: cm²

  • Square Millimeter

    Symbol: mm²

  • Square Mile

    Symbol: mi²

  • Square Yard

    Symbol: yd²

  • Square Foot

    Symbol: ft²

  • Square Inch

    Symbol: in²

  • Acre

    Symbol: acre

  • Hectare

    Symbol: ha

📐 Area Converter

Area measurements appear in construction, real estate, and land surveying. Convert between square meters, square feet, acres, hectares, and other area units instantly. Whether you're planning construction projects, buying property, or working in agriculture, our converter handles the calculations.

📐 About Area

Area measures two-dimensional space—the extent of a surface. In the International System of Units (SI), area is a derived quantity based on length. The square meter (m²) is the standard unit, defined as the area of a square with sides one meter long. From architecture and engineering to agriculture and real estate, area measurements are used across many fields. Different regions use different systems. The metric system (square meters, hectares, square kilometers) dominates global science and most countries, while the imperial system (square feet, acres) remains common in the United States for real estate and construction. Working with both systems helps with international trade, property transactions, and construction projects.

Understanding Area Measurement

Area is a derived physical quantity representing the extent of a two-dimensional surface. Unlike base quantities like length or mass, area is calculated from length measurements—specifically, area equals length multiplied by width for rectangular shapes. In the International System of Units (SI), the square meter serves as the standard unit for area. The square meter is defined as the area of a square with sides one meter long. Since the meter is defined by fundamental constants (the speed of light), the square meter inherits this precision and reproducibility. Area units scale by the square of the length factor: one square kilometer equals one million square meters (1 km² = 1,000,000 m²), while one square centimeter equals one ten-thousandth of a square meter (1 cm² = 0.0001 m²).

📜 History & Context

The history of area measurement dates back to ancient civilizations, when people needed to measure land for agriculture, taxation, and property ownership. Early area units were often based on practical agricultural activities or human-scale references. The acre, for example, was originally defined as the amount of land that could be plowed by a yoke of oxen in one day. Ancient measurement systems varied widely by region. In medieval England, the acre was standardized as a strip of land one furlong long (660 feet) by one chain wide (66 feet), totaling 43,560 square feet. Other traditional units like the rood (one-quarter acre) and the perch (a square rod) were used for smaller measurements. These units varied between regions, creating inconsistencies that complicated trade and legal transactions. The modern era of area measurement began with the metric system during the French Revolution. The square meter was introduced as part of the metric system in 1795, derived from the meter. The hectare, equal to 10,000 square meters, was also introduced for measuring larger land areas. As the meter's definition evolved from physical artifacts to fundamental constants (speed of light), the square meter gained the same precision and universality. Today, area measurement benefits from the same high-precision standards that define length, ensuring consistent and reproducible measurements worldwide.

Fun Facts

  • The acre was originally defined as the amount of land that one man with a yoke of oxen could plow in a single day, reflecting its agricultural origins in medieval England.
  • The word "acre" comes from Old English "æcer," meaning "open field," and is related to words in other languages like German "Acker" and Latin "ager."
  • A hectare equals 10,000 square meters—the area of a square 100 meters on each side—making it roughly 2.47 acres.
  • The square meter inherits its precision from the meter's definition using the speed of light, ensuring area measurements are reproducible anywhere in the world.
  • An acre is approximately the size of an American football field (excluding end zones), while a hectare is closer to two such fields.

💡 Real-World Examples

  • Real estate and property: Property listings use square feet or square meters depending on location. Converting between units helps international buyers and developers compare properties.
  • Construction and architecture: Building floor plans specify areas in square meters or square feet. Converting between units helps with material estimation, cost calculation, and building code compliance.
  • Agriculture and farming: Farmland is measured in acres or hectares depending on the region. Converting between units helps with international agricultural trade and land management.
  • Land surveying: Surveyors measure property boundaries and calculate parcel areas in various units. Converting between units helps with legal documentation and property transactions.
  • Urban planning: City planners work with areas in hectares or square kilometers for parks, zoning districts, and infrastructure projects. Converting between units helps with international comparisons.
  • Manufacturing and materials: Surface area calculations for materials, coatings, and finishes use different units depending on industry standards. Converting between square meters, square feet, and other units helps coordinate specifications.
  • Environmental monitoring: Conservation areas, wetlands, and forest reserves are measured in hectares or acres. Converting between units helps with international environmental reporting.
  • Interior design: Room sizes and floor areas are specified in square feet or square meters. Converting between units helps when working with international suppliers or clients.

🔧 Common Applications

  • Construction and engineering: Building design, material estimation, and project planning need accurate area measurements. Converting between units helps with cost calculation and regulatory compliance.
  • Real estate and property: Property transactions, appraisals, and development projects work with both metric and imperial units. Converting between units helps with international markets.
  • Agriculture and land management: Farm planning, crop yield calculations, and land use analysis use different area units. Converting between acres and hectares helps with global agricultural practices.
  • Surveying and mapping: Land surveys, cadastral mapping, and geographic information systems use area measurements. Converting between units helps with international data sharing.
  • Environmental science: Habitat monitoring, conservation planning, and environmental impact assessments measure areas in various units. Converting between units helps with global reporting standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

+ How do I convert square meters to square feet?

To convert square meters to square feet, multiply the square meter value by 10.7639. For example, 1 square meter equals 10.7639 square feet, and 10 square meters equals 107.639 square feet. This conversion is commonly used in real estate and construction.

+ What is the difference between an acre and a hectare?

An acre is an imperial unit equal to 43,560 square feet or approximately 4,047 square meters. A hectare is a metric unit equal to 10,000 square meters or approximately 2.471 acres. Hectares are used in most countries, while acres are primarily used in the United States and United Kingdom.

+ How many square feet are in an acre?

There are exactly 43,560 square feet in one acre. This is a standard conversion in the imperial system. For example, 2 acres equals 87,120 square feet, and 0.5 acres equals 21,780 square feet.

+ How do I convert square kilometers to square miles?

To convert square kilometers to square miles, multiply the square kilometer value by 0.386102, or divide by 2.58999. For example, 1 square kilometer equals approximately 0.386 square miles, and 100 square kilometers equals approximately 38.6 square miles.

+ What is a square meter and how does it relate to other area units?

A square meter is the area of a square with sides one meter long. It is the standard metric unit for area. One square meter equals 10.7639 square feet, 0.0001 hectares, or 0.0002471 acres. It is commonly used in construction, real estate, and scientific measurements.

Popular Area Conversions

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Full Area Conversion Matrix

Complete list of supported area units for precision conversions.