What is an Area Converter?
An area converter transforms measurements of surface area from one unit to another. Area measures the two-dimensional space enclosed within a boundary and is expressed in square units. It's essential for land measurement, real estate, construction, and many other applications.
This converter supports metric area units (square meters, hectares, square kilometers) and imperial units (square feet, acres, square miles), commonly used in different regions worldwide.
How Does Area Conversion Work?
Area conversion uses the square of linear conversion factors:
- Convert to base unit: The input value is converted to square meters (the SI unit for area).
- Convert to target unit: The square meter value is converted to the desired output unit.
- Note the squaring: Since area is length × length, conversion factors are squared (e.g., 1 ft = 0.3048 m, so 1 ft² = 0.3048² = 0.0929 m²).
Conversion Formulas
1 square kilometer (km²) = 1,000,000 m²
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m²
1 square meter (m²) = 10,000 cm²
Imperial Area Units:
1 square mile (mi²) = 2,589,988 m²
1 acre = 4,046.8564224 m² (exactly)
1 square yard (yd²) = 0.83612736 m²
1 square foot (ft²) = 0.09290304 m²
1 square inch (in²) = 0.00064516 m²
Common Area Conversions
- Square Meters to Square Feet: Multiply by 10.7639 (1 m² = 10.7639 ft²)
- Square Feet to Square Meters: Multiply by 0.0929 (1 ft² = 0.0929 m²)
- Acres to Hectares: Multiply by 0.4047 (1 acre = 0.4047 ha)
- Hectares to Acres: Multiply by 2.471 (1 ha = 2.471 acres)
- Square Kilometers to Square Miles: Multiply by 0.3861 (1 km² = 0.3861 mi²)
- Acres to Square Feet: Multiply by 43,560 (1 acre = 43,560 ft²)
Benefits of Using This Converter
- Real estate calculations: Convert property sizes between international standards.
- Land measurement: Essential for farming, forestry, and land management.
- Construction planning: Convert floor plans and site areas accurately.
- Instant results: Calculations update in real-time as you type.
- High precision: Uses exact conversion factors from international standards.
Understanding Area Units
Square Meter (m²): The SI unit of area. One square meter is the area of a square with sides of exactly 1 meter.
Hectare (ha): A metric unit equal to 10,000 m², commonly used for measuring land. One hectare is a square 100 meters on each side.
Acre: An imperial unit traditionally defined as the area plowable by one man with one ox in one day. Now exactly 4,046.8564224 m².
Square Foot (ft²): Common in US and UK real estate. One square foot is a square with sides of 1 foot (12 inches).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet are in an acre?
There are exactly 43,560 square feet in one acre. This number comes from the definition of an acre as 66 feet × 660 feet (one chain × one furlong).
How big is a hectare compared to a football field?
A hectare (10,000 m²) is about 1.2 times the size of an American football field (including end zones) or about 1.4 soccer/football pitches.
How do I calculate the area of irregular land?
For irregular shapes, divide the land into regular shapes (rectangles, triangles), calculate each area separately, then sum them. For complex plots, professional surveyors use GPS coordinates.
Why are acres still used instead of hectares?
Acres remain common in the US, UK, and some former British colonies due to historical land records. Converting existing property documentation would be costly and confusing.
What's the difference between gross and net area?
Gross area includes all enclosed space (walls, common areas). Net area is usable space only. In real estate, this distinction affects pricing and zoning compliance.
How accurate is this converter?
This converter uses exact conversion factors defined by international standards. Results are accurate to at least 6 significant figures, suitable for real estate and construction.