Hectare to Square Foot Converter
Convert hectares to square feet with our free online area converter.
Quick Answer
1 Hectare = 107639.104167 square feet
Formula: Hectare × conversion factor = Square Foot
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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Hectare to Square Foot Calculator
How to Use the Hectare to Square Foot Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Hectare).
- The converted value in Square Foot will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Area category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Hectare to Square Foot: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Hectare to Square Foot involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Hectare = 107639.1 square feetExample Calculation:
Convert 10 hectares: 10 × 107639.1 = 1076391 square feet
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other area units?
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and Standards
The hectare is defined as an area of exactly 10,000 square meters:
1 ha = 10,000 m² = 100 m × 100 m
Precise Equivalents
- 1 ha = 10,000 m² (exactly, by definition)
- 1 ha = 0.01 km² = 1/100 square kilometer (exactly)
- 1 ha = 100 ares (where 1 are = 100 m²)
- 1 ha = 1 hm² (square hectometer)
- 1 ha = 2.47105 acres (US survey/international)
- 1 ha = 107,639.1 square feet
- 1 ha = 11,959.9 square yards
- 1 ha = 15,500,000 square inches
The hectare derives from the are (symbol: a), a rarely used metric unit defined as 100 m². The prefix hecto- means "hundred," so hectare literally means "hundred ares."
SI Status
The hectare is not an official SI unit—the SI unit of area is the square meter (m²). However, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) explicitly lists the hectare as a non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI in its SI Brochure, recognizing its overwhelming practical importance in land measurement globally.
Metric Prefixes and Multiples
While technically compatible with metric prefixes, only a few are used in practice:
- Decare (daa) = 0.1 ha = 1,000 m² (used in some Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries)
- Hectare (ha) = 1 ha = 10,000 m² (standard unit)
- Square kilometer (km²) = 100 ha (preferred for very large areas)
The centiare (1 m²) and are (100 m²) exist theoretically but are rarely used today.
and Standards
The square foot is defined as the area of a square with sides measuring exactly one international foot:
1 ft² = (1 foot)² = (12 inches)² = (0.3048 meters)²
Precise Equivalents
- 1 ft² = 144 in² (exactly)
- 1 ft² = 1/9 yd² = 0.1111... yd² (exactly)
- 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m² (exactly, by 1959 definition)
- 1 ft² = 929.0304 cm² (exactly)
- 1 ft² = 92,903.04 mm² (exactly)
- 1 acre = 43,560 ft² (exactly)
- 1 square mile = 27,878,400 ft² (exactly)
International Foot Standard (1959)
The International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959 defined the international foot as precisely 0.3048 meters, resolving slight differences between the US survey foot and the British imperial foot. This definition makes:
1 square foot = (0.3048 m)² = 0.09290304 m² (exactly)
Before 1959, small variations existed. The US survey foot (still used in some land surveys) is defined as exactly 1200/3937 meters, making the US survey square foot = 0.09290341... m² (about 0.0004% larger—negligible for most purposes).
Symbol Variations
The square foot is represented by multiple symbols:
- ft² (most common, scientific)
- sq ft or sq. ft. (common in real estate)
- SF (architectural drawings, construction documents)
- □′ (rare, using the foot prime symbol)
All represent the same unit.
Note: The Hectare is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Square Foot belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Hectare and Square Foot
and Evolution
The French Revolution and the Birth of the Metric System (1790s)
The hectare emerged from the revolutionary fervor of 1790s France. The French Revolution sought to overthrow not only the monarchy but also the chaotic patchwork of traditional measurement units that varied by region, trade, and lord. Land measurement was particularly inconsistent: the arpent varied from 34 to 51 ares depending on locality, and dozens of other regional land units created confusion and inequity.
In 1795, the revolutionary government adopted the metric system, including the are as the fundamental unit of land area, defined as 100 square meters (a square 10 meters on each side). The hectare ("hundred ares") was immediately created as a larger, more practical unit for agricultural land, equal to 10,000 square meters—a square 100 meters on each side.
The Triumph of the Hectare over the Are (19th Century)
While the are was the official base unit, it proved awkwardly small for practical agriculture and forestry. A typical farm field might be dozens or hundreds of ares. The hectare, by contrast, was the perfect size: small enough to measure individual fields precisely, large enough to describe farm sizes conveniently. Within decades, the hectare became the dominant unit, and the are faded into obscurity.
Key milestone: In 1879, the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) formally adopted the hectare for international use, cementing its status as the global standard for land measurement.
Global Metrication: The Hectare Spreads Worldwide (1800s-1900s)
As the metric system spread from France across Europe, Latin America, and eventually Asia and Africa, the hectare went with it:
- 1800s: Adopted across continental Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Scandinavia)
- 1900-1950: Latin American countries metricated (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile)
- 1950-1980: Post-colonial nations in Africa and Asia adopted the metric system, including the hectare (India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya)
- 1970s: Australia and New Zealand officially switched from acres to hectares
- 1980s-present: Even partially metricated countries like Canada and the UK increasingly use hectares for official land statistics
Modern status: As of 2025, the hectare is the primary land measurement unit in over 170 countries, representing more than 95% of the world's population and land area.
Notable Holdouts and Hybrid Systems
United States: Continues to use acres almost exclusively for land measurement, despite metrication in science and industry.
United Kingdom: Officially metricated in the 1990s, but acres persist in casual speech, real estate listings, and tradition. Government statistics use hectares, while property advertisements often show both units.
Myanmar: Uses traditional Burmese land units alongside acres; hectares are rare.
Canada: Officially metricated (hectares), but older Canadians and rural areas often still reference acres informally.
The Hectare in International Agriculture and Forestry
By the mid-20th century, international organizations standardized on the hectare:
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization): Reports global agricultural data in hectares
- World Bank: Land area statistics in hectares
- IPCC and climate science: Forest cover, deforestation, and carbon storage measured in hectares
- International land treaties: Boundary agreements, protected areas, and resource rights defined in hectares
The hectare's dominance in these domains ensures its continued relevance even in non-metric countries, where professionals in agriculture, forestry, and environmental science routinely convert between acres and hectares.
and Evolution
Ancient Origins: The Human Foot (3000 BCE - 1200 CE)
The foot as a length measurement dates to ancient civilizations, where it approximated the length of a human foot:
- Egyptian royal cubit: ~0.525 m, subdivided into "feet" of ~0.30 m
- Greek pous: ~0.296 m (varied by city-state)
- Roman pes: ~0.2967 m (29.67 cm)
- Medieval European feet: Varied from 0.25-0.34 m depending on region
These variations meant "square feet" were inconsistent across regions and time periods. A Roman square foot was about 88 cm² versus a medieval German square foot of up to 100 cm².
English Standardization: From Barleycorns to Royal Feet (1300-1824)
Medieval England attempted standardization through royal decrees:
- Edward I (1305): Defined the inch as "three grains of barley, dry and round, laid end to end," making a foot = 36 barleycorns
- Edward II (1324): Further refined the foot based on the royal standard at Westminster
- Weights and Measures Acts (1700s-1824): Gradually standardized the imperial foot across Britain
The Weights and Measures Act of 1824 officially defined the imperial foot and established consistency across the British Empire. This foot became the basis for square footage in British architecture, land surveying, and real estate.
American Adoption: Colonial Legacy (1600s-1959)
American colonists brought English measurement systems to the New World. After independence, the United States retained imperial units rather than adopting the metric system (despite Thomas Jefferson's advocacy for decimalization).
The US customary foot slightly diverged from the British imperial foot over time due to independent maintenance of measurement standards. By the mid-20th century, the difference was approximately 2 parts per million—tiny, but problematic for precision surveying.
The 1959 International Agreement: Ending the Confusion
The International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, signed by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, established:
1 international yard = 0.9144 meters (exactly)
1 international foot = 0.3048 meters (exactly)
1 international square foot = 0.09290304 m² (exactly)
This unified the foot globally and aligned imperial units with the metric system through exact conversion factors.
Exception: The US survey foot (1200/3937 meters) remains in use for some land surveys to maintain consistency with historical surveys. This creates a US survey square foot slightly different from the international square foot—a distinction only relevant in precision surveying.
Persistence Despite Metrication (1960s-Present)
Throughout the 20th century, most countries adopted the metric system. However, square feet remain dominant in:
United States: Exclusively uses square feet for residential real estate. All home listings, construction documents, building codes, and HVAC calculations use ft². Metrication efforts failed in the 1970s.
United Kingdom: Officially metricated in 1995, requiring metric units in commerce. However, real estate continues to list properties in both square feet and square meters, with square feet often prominently displayed due to consumer preference and historical familiarity.
Canada: Officially metricated (square meters), but square footage remains common in real estate listings and construction, particularly in regions near the US border.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Use square feet as the primary unit for real estate despite official metrication. Property advertisements overwhelmingly use sq ft.
Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia: Mixed systems. Hong Kong historically used square feet but increasingly shows square meters. Singapore mandates square meters but square feet remain understood.
The Real Estate Lock-In Effect
Square footage persists in real estate due to:
- Consumer familiarity: Buyers understand "2,000 sq ft" intuitively from years of exposure
- Historical data: Decades of comparable sales in square feet make valuation easier
- Industry resistance: Realtors, appraisers, and builders resist change due to retraining costs
- Building codes: US building codes specify minimum room sizes in square feet
- Property taxation: Tax assessments based on square footage in many jurisdictions
Common Uses and Applications: hectares vs square feet
Explore the typical applications for both Hectare (imperial/US) and Square Foot (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for hectares
1. Agriculture: Farm Sizes and Crop Yields
The hectare is the universal standard for agricultural land measurement worldwide (except in the US). Farm sizes, field areas, crop yields, and agricultural statistics are expressed in hectares.
Crop yields are standardized as metric tons per hectare (t/ha) or kilograms per hectare (kg/ha):
- Wheat: 3-10 t/ha (depending on region and farming intensity)
- Rice: 4-8 t/ha
- Corn (maize): 8-15 t/ha
- Soybeans: 2-5 t/ha
Example: A 50-hectare wheat farm yielding 5 t/ha produces 250 metric tons of wheat annually.
2. Forestry: Timber Yields and Forest Management
Forestry professionals measure forest areas, logging concessions, reforestation projects, and timber yields in hectares.
Timber yield is expressed as cubic meters per hectare (m³/ha):
- Temperate softwood forest: 150-400 m³/ha
- Tropical rainforest: 200-600 m³/ha
- Boreal forest: 80-200 m³/ha
Example: A sustainable logging operation might harvest 5 m³/ha/year from a 1,000-hectare forest, yielding 5,000 m³ of timber annually.
3. Urban Planning: Zoning and Development
Urban planners use hectares to measure development sites, zoning areas, and infrastructure projects. Residential density is often expressed as dwellings per hectare (dw/ha) or persons per hectare (pp/ha).
Typical densities:
- Suburban single-family: 10-25 dw/ha
- Urban townhouses: 30-60 dw/ha
- Mid-rise apartments: 100-200 dw/ha
- High-rise urban core: 300-1,000+ dw/ha
Example: A 20-hectare mixed-use development with an average density of 80 dw/ha would contain 1,600 dwellings.
4. Real Estate: Land Sales and Property Listings
In metricated countries, land parcels are listed in hectares. Small properties (under 1 ha) may be listed in square meters, while large rural properties use hectares.
Example listing: "50-hectare vineyard estate in Tuscany, fully planted, irrigation, farmhouse included."
In hybrid countries like the UK and Canada, listings often show both units: "25 hectares (62 acres)."
5. Environmental Science: Protected Areas and Deforestation
Conservation organizations, national parks, and environmental treaties use hectares to define protected areas, measure deforestation, and calculate carbon storage.
Carbon storage in forests is measured as metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per hectare (tCO₂e/ha):
- Tropical rainforest: 200-600 tCO₂e/ha
- Temperate forest: 100-300 tCO₂e/ha
- Boreal forest: 50-150 tCO₂e/ha
Example: Protecting 10,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest prevents release of ~4,000,000 metric tons of CO₂.
6. International Development and Food Security
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank, and UN agencies report agricultural land, arable land per capita, and food production in hectares.
Arable land per capita (global average): ~0.19 ha per person (2025)
- High: Australia ~1.9 ha/person, Canada ~1.2 ha/person
- Low: Bangladesh ~0.05 ha/person, China ~0.08 ha/person
Food security context: Feeding one person for a year requires approximately 0.2-0.3 ha of arable land (depending on diet and farming intensity).
When to Use square feet
1. Real Estate Listings and Sales
Square footage is the primary metric for home valuation in the US, Canada, and UK. Property listings always specify total square footage, often breaking down:
- Total living area (heated/cooled space)
- Bedroom sizes (sq ft per room)
- Basement area (finished vs. unfinished)
- Garage (often listed separately)
Price per square foot is the key metric for comparable sales analysis:
- National US average (2025): $150-200/sq ft for new construction
- Urban markets (San Francisco, NYC): $400-1,000+/sq ft
- Suburban markets: $100-250/sq ft
- Rural markets: $80-150/sq ft
Example: A 2,000 sq ft home listed at $400,000 = $200/sq ft
2. Construction and Architecture
Blueprints, floor plans, and construction documents use square feet for:
- Floor area calculations (required for building permits)
- Material estimates (flooring, drywall, roofing in sq ft)
- Cost estimating (construction cost per sq ft)
- Zoning compliance (maximum floor area ratio, minimum room sizes)
Construction costs (2025 US averages):
- Budget home: $100-150/sq ft
- Standard home: $150-250/sq ft
- Custom home: $250-400/sq ft
- Luxury home: $400-800+/sq ft
3. Flooring and Home Improvement
Flooring materials (carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate) are purchased by the square foot. Homeowners measure room dimensions to calculate total square footage needed, adding 10-15% for waste.
Calculation example:
- Living room: 15' × 18' = 270 sq ft
- Add 10% waste: 270 × 1.10 = 297 sq ft
- Order 300 sq ft of flooring
Paint coverage: One gallon covers ~350-400 sq ft per coat (varies by surface texture). Calculate wall square footage: (Perimeter × Height) - (window/door areas).
4. HVAC System Design
Heating and cooling systems are sized in BTUs or tons, calculated based on square footage of conditioned space. HVAC contractors use Manual J load calculations that account for:
- Square footage (primary factor)
- Insulation levels (R-values)
- Window area and efficiency
- Climate zone
- Air infiltration rates
Rule of thumb: Oversimplified (1 ton/400 sq ft), but professional calculations adjust for specifics.
5. Property Taxation and Assessment
Many jurisdictions calculate property taxes partially based on square footage. Assessors measure "finished living area" to determine assessed value.
Example: A county might assess homes at $150/sq ft, so a 2,500 sq ft home has an assessed value of $375,000, with property tax = assessed value × tax rate (e.g., $375,000 × 1.2% = $4,500/year).
6. Interior Design and Space Planning
Interior designers use square footage to:
- Determine appropriate furniture sizes for rooms
- Calculate occupancy limits (building codes specify sq ft per person)
- Specify area rug sizes
- Plan layouts and circulation space
Furniture scale guidelines:
- Small bedroom (100 sq ft): Twin/full bed, nightstand, small dresser
- Medium bedroom (150 sq ft): Queen bed, two nightstands, dresser, chair
- Large bedroom (250 sq ft): King bed, full furniture set, seating area
Additional Unit Information
About Hectare (ha)
How large is a hectare visually?
A hectare is 10,000 square meters, or a square 100 meters on each side.
Visual comparisons:
- 1.4 FIFA soccer fields (a standard soccer pitch is ~7,140 m², so 1 ha ≈ 1.4 pitches)
- Slightly larger than a rugby union pitch (max 100m × 70m = 7,000 m²)
- About 2.5 times an American football field (with end zones: ~5,350 m²)
- Trafalgar Square, London is approximately 1 hectare
Walking it: Walking around the perimeter of a 1-hectare square (400 meters total) takes about 5 minutes at a normal pace.
Running it: A 100m × 100m square has a perimeter of 400 meters—exactly the distance of a standard running track lap.
How many square meters are in a hectare?
Exactly 10,000 square meters (m²) in one hectare.
Formula: m² = ha × 10,000
Examples:
- 0.1 ha = 1,000 m²
- 1 ha = 10,000 m²
- 5 ha = 50,000 m²
- 100 ha = 1,000,000 m² = 1 km²
What is an "are" and how does it relate to a hectare?
The are (symbol: a) is a metric unit of area defined as 100 square meters—a square 10 meters on each side.
Relationship: 1 hectare = 100 ares
The are was the original base unit of land measurement in the metric system (1795), but the hectare (100 ares) proved more practical for actual use. Today, the are is obsolete in most countries, though it persists in legal documents and some rural areas of France and Switzerland.
Related unit: The decare (daa) = 10 ares = 1,000 m² = 0.1 ha, still used in Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and some Middle Eastern countries.
How many acres are in a hectare?
One hectare equals approximately 2.47105 acres (or more precisely, 2.4710538 acres).
Formula: acres = ha × 2.47105
Common conversions:
- 1 ha = 2.47 acres
- 10 ha = 24.71 acres
- 100 ha = 247.1 acres
- 0.5 ha = 1.24 acres
Reverse: 1 acre = 0.4047 hectares
Memory aid: "A hectare is about two and a half acres."
How many hectares are in a square kilometer?
Exactly 100 hectares in one square kilometer.
Formula: ha = km² × 100
Why: 1 km² = 1,000 m × 1,000 m = 1,000,000 m². And 1 ha = 10,000 m². So 1,000,000 ÷ 10,000 = 100.
Examples:
- 0.01 km² = 1 ha
- 0.5 km² = 50 ha
- 1 km² = 100 ha
- 10 km² = 1,000 ha
Large areas: For areas over ~10,000 ha (100 km²), square kilometers become more convenient than hectares.
Is the hectare an official SI unit?
No, the hectare is not an official SI base or derived unit. The SI unit for area is the square meter (m²), and strictly speaking, large areas should be measured in square kilometers (km²).
However, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) explicitly lists the hectare as a non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI in the SI Brochure (9th edition, 2019). This recognition acknowledges the hectare's overwhelming global practical importance in agriculture, forestry, and land management.
In practice: Scientific papers, government statistics, and international organizations freely use hectares alongside SI units, and it is universally understood in metric contexts.
Why do some countries still use acres instead of hectares?
United States: Never fully metricated; acres are deeply embedded in property law, surveying, real estate, and agricultural tradition. US land is subdivided based on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), which uses miles, chains, and acres.
United Kingdom: Officially metricated in 1995, but public resistance and tradition mean acres persist in real estate, rural communities, and casual speech. Government reports use hectares, but property listings often show both units.
Historical inertia: Countries that metricated recently (post-1970) often have older generations and established industries (especially real estate and agriculture) that resist change. The UK and Canada show gradual transitions, while the US shows little movement toward hectares.
Practical impact: Professionals working internationally (agriculture, forestry, climate science) routinely convert between acres and hectares, regardless of domestic preference.
How many hectares does it take to feed one person?
This depends on diet and farming intensity:
Vegetarian/low-meat diet (efficient):
- Intensive agriculture (e.g., modern wheat, rice): 0.15-0.20 ha per person
- Organic/lower-input farming: 0.25-0.35 ha per person
High-meat diet (less efficient due to feed conversion):
- Intensive agriculture: 0.35-0.50 ha per person
- Extensive/grassland-based: 0.50-1.00+ ha per person
Global average: Approximately 0.20-0.25 ha of arable land per person is needed to provide a balanced diet (2,500 kcal/day) with moderate meat consumption using modern farming practices.
Current reality: Global arable land per capita is about 0.19 ha per person (2025), down from ~0.38 ha in 1961 due to population growth. Higher yields per hectare have compensated, preventing widespread famine.
How do I measure the hectares of an irregular-shaped property?
Modern methods use GPS and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to calculate areas of irregular parcels precisely:
Method 1: GPS boundary walk
- Walk or drive the perimeter with a GPS receiver
- Software calculates area from GPS coordinates
- Accuracy: ±0.5-2% depending on GPS quality
Method 2: Satellite imagery and GIS software
- Import satellite images or cadastral maps into GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Pro)
- Trace the boundary polygon
- Software calculates area in hectares
Method 3: Traditional surveying
- Professional land surveyor measures property using theodolite or total station
- Calculates area using coordinate geometry
- Accuracy: ±0.1% or better (legal surveys)
Method 4: Decomposition into simpler shapes
- Divide irregular property into rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids
- Measure each section's dimensions
- Calculate each area and sum them
Example: A property approximated as a large rectangle (300m × 200m = 60,000 m²) plus a triangular section (base 100m, height 50m = 2,500 m²) totals 62,500 m² = 6.25 hectares.
How many soccer fields fit in a hectare?
A standard FIFA soccer pitch has recommended dimensions of 105 meters × 68 meters = 7,140 m².
Calculation: 10,000 m² (1 ha) ÷ 7,140 m² (1 pitch) = 1.40 soccer fields per hectare
Or inversely: 1 soccer field ≈ 0.714 hectares
Note: FIFA allows pitch dimensions from 100-110m length and 64-75m width, so actual pitches vary from ~6,400 m² to ~8,250 m². The 105m × 68m size is the international standard recommendation.
Other comparisons:
- Rugby union pitch (max 100m × 70m): 0.70 ha, so ~1.43 per hectare
- American football field (with end zones, 109.7m × 48.8m): 0.535 ha, so ~1.87 per hectare
What is a "section" in acres and hectares?
A section is a unit of land area used in the United States Public Land Survey System (PLSS) and Canadian Dominion Land Survey (DLS).
Definition: 1 section = 1 square mile = 640 acres = 259 hectares (approximately 258.9988 ha precisely)
Sections divide townships (36 sections per township, each section 1 mile × 1 mile). US and Canadian rural land is often described in sections, half-sections (320 acres / 129.5 ha), or quarter-sections (160 acres / 64.75 ha).
Example: "I own the southwest quarter-section of Section 16" means 160 acres or about 64.75 hectares.
How many hectares is a typical golf course?
Golf course sizes vary widely depending on design, number of holes, and layout:
18-hole courses:
- Compact urban course: 40-50 hectares
- Standard parkland course: 50-70 hectares
- Championship course: 60-80 hectares
- Links course (with extensive dunes/rough): 70-100+ hectares
9-hole courses: 20-35 hectares
Example: Augusta National Golf Club (home of the Masters) is approximately 140 hectares (346 acres).
Comparison: An average 18-hole golf course (~60 ha) is about 24 times the size of a FIFA soccer field (0.714 ha), or roughly 0.6 km².
About Square Foot (ft²)
How big is one square foot visually?
One square foot is a square measuring 12 inches (1 foot) on each side.
Common objects:
- Standard 12"×12" floor tile: Exactly 1 square foot
- Large pizza (14" diameter): About 1.07 sq ft (π×7²/144)
- Sheet of paper (8.5"×11"): 0.65 sq ft (93.5 in² ÷ 144)
- Laptop computer (typical 15"): ~0.7-0.9 sq ft
Hand estimation: A handspan (thumb to pinky) stretched out is roughly 9-10 inches, so imagine a square slightly larger than your handspan on each side.
How many square inches are in a square foot?
Exactly 144 square inches (in²) in one square foot.
Calculation: 1 foot = 12 inches, so 1 ft² = 12" × 12" = 144 in²
Examples:
- 1 ft² = 144 in²
- 2 ft² = 288 in²
- 0.5 ft² = 72 in²
- 10 ft² = 1,440 in²
Use case: Small materials (glass panes, small tiles) sold in square inches can be converted to square feet for larger projects.
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Exactly 9 square feet in one square yard.
Calculation: 1 yard = 3 feet, so 1 yd² = 3' × 3' = 9 ft²
Examples:
- 1 yd² = 9 ft²
- 10 yd² = 90 ft²
- 30 yd² = 270 ft²
- 100 yd² = 900 ft²
Carpet pricing: Carpet is often priced per square yard. To find total cost, divide room sq ft by 9 to get sq yd, then multiply by price per sq yd.
Example: 270 sq ft room ÷ 9 = 30 sq yd. At $25/sq yd, cost = $750.
How do I convert square feet to square meters?
Exact formula: m² = ft² × 0.09290304
Quick approximation: m² ≈ ft² ÷ 10.764 (or ft² ÷ 11 for rough estimates)
Examples:
- 100 ft² = 9.29 m²
- 500 ft² = 46.45 m²
- 1,000 ft² = 92.90 m²
- 2,000 ft² = 185.81 m²
- 3,500 ft² = 325.16 m²
Reverse (m² to ft²): ft² = m² × 10.7639
Memory aid: "Divide square feet by roughly 11 to get square meters" (slightly overestimates, but close)
How many square feet are in an acre?
Exactly 43,560 square feet in one acre.
Calculation: 1 acre = 1 furlong × 1 chain = 660' × 66' = 43,560 ft²
Common fractions:
- 1/4 acre = 10,890 ft²
- 1/2 acre = 21,780 ft²
- 3/4 acre = 32,670 ft²
- 1 acre = 43,560 ft²
Visualization: An acre is roughly 208.7' × 208.7' (a square), or 43,560 sq ft in any shape.
Typical lot: A 0.25-acre suburban lot (~11,000 sq ft) might be 100' × 110' or 90' × 122'.
What is the average size of a home in the US?
2025 statistics:
- Median new single-family home: 2,261 sq ft (210 m²)
- Average new single-family home: 2,480 sq ft (230 m²)
- Existing homes (median): ~2,000 sq ft (186 m²)
Historical trend:
- 1973: 1,660 sq ft median
- 1990: 1,905 sq ft median
- 2007 (peak): 2,521 sq ft median
- 2009 (recession low): 2,135 sq ft median
- 2025: 2,261 sq ft median
Regional variation:
- Western US: Larger (2,400-2,600 sq ft avg)
- Southern US: Larger (2,300-2,500 sq ft avg)
- Northeastern US: Smaller (1,800-2,200 sq ft avg)
- Urban areas: Significantly smaller (1,200-1,800 sq ft avg)
How much does flooring cost per square foot?
Flooring costs vary widely by material and installation complexity:
Materials only (2025 US averages):
- Carpet: $1-5/sq ft
- Laminate: $2-5/sq ft
- Vinyl plank (LVP): $2-7/sq ft
- Engineered hardwood: $3-10/sq ft
- Solid hardwood: $5-15/sq ft
- Tile (ceramic): $1-10/sq ft
- Tile (porcelain): $3-15/sq ft
- Natural stone: $5-30/sq ft
Installed (material + labor):
- Carpet: $3-8/sq ft
- Laminate: $5-10/sq ft
- LVP: $6-12/sq ft
- Engineered hardwood: $8-18/sq ft
- Solid hardwood: $12-25/sq ft
- Tile: $10-30/sq ft
Total cost example: 1,000 sq ft of mid-grade engineered hardwood at $12/sq ft installed = $12,000
How do I calculate the square footage of my home?
For a rectangular home:
- Measure length and width of each room in feet
- Multiply length × width for each room (= sq ft)
- Sum all rooms
Example:
- Living room: 15' × 18' = 270 sq ft
- Kitchen: 12' × 14' = 168 sq ft
- Bedroom 1: 12' × 12' = 144 sq ft
- Bedroom 2: 10' × 11' = 110 sq ft
- Bathroom: 8' × 9' = 72 sq ft
- Total: 764 sq ft
For irregular spaces:
- Divide into rectangles, measure each, sum areas
- Or use a laser measure/measuring wheel
- Or use smartphone apps (RoomScan, MagicPlan) that use AR
What to include:
- Include: Heated/cooled living space, closets, hallways
- Exclude: Garage (listed separately), unfinished basement, attics, open porches
- Gray area: Finished basements often listed separately as "finished basement sq ft"
Professional measurement: Appraisers follow ANSI standards (Z765-2021) for consistent measurement.
Is the square foot an SI unit?
No, the square foot is not part of the International System of Units (SI). It belongs to imperial and US customary systems.
The SI unit for area is the square meter (m²).
However, square feet remain legally accepted for commerce in the US and are widely used alongside square meters in the UK, Canada, India, and many Commonwealth nations despite official metrication.
International context: When publishing for international audiences or scientific work, convert square feet to square meters (×0.0929).
Why are homes measured in square feet instead of square meters in the US?
Historical inertia: The US never fully metricated. Square footage has been standard in US real estate and construction for over a century.
Consumer familiarity: Americans intuitively understand home sizes in square feet. "2,000 square feet" is meaningful; "185 square meters" requires mental conversion.
Industry entrenchment: Building codes, zoning laws, construction standards, and appraisal methods all use square feet. Switching would require massive regulatory updates and retraining.
Resistance to change: Attempts to metricate the US in the 1970s (Metric Conversion Act of 1975) failed due to public and industry opposition.
Network effects: Since all comparable sales data is in square feet, realtors and buyers rely on it for valuation. Switching unilaterally would confuse comparisons.
Result: Square feet remain universal in US real estate, construction, and home improvement despite metric adoption in science, medicine, and manufacturing.
How many square feet do I need per person in a home?
Rough guidelines (varies by lifestyle, culture, family composition):
Minimum livable:
- 200-300 sq ft per person: Tight but functional (studio/small apartment)
- 400-600 sq ft per person: Comfortable (typical family home)
- 800-1,000+ sq ft per person: Spacious (luxury homes)
Examples:
- Single person: 400-800 sq ft (studio to 1-bedroom)
- Couple: 800-1,200 sq ft (1-2 bedrooms)
- Family of 3: 1,200-1,800 sq ft (2-3 bedrooms)
- Family of 4: 1,600-2,500 sq ft (3-4 bedrooms)
- Family of 5+: 2,000-3,500+ sq ft (4-5 bedrooms)
International comparison:
- US average: ~600-700 sq ft per person (2025)
- UK average: ~350-400 sq ft per person
- European Union: ~400-500 sq ft per person
- Japan: ~300-350 sq ft per person
- Hong Kong: ~150-200 sq ft per person (very dense)
Conversion Table: Hectare to Square Foot
| Hectare (ha) | Square Foot (ft²) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 53,819.552 |
| 1 | 107,639.104 |
| 1.5 | 161,458.656 |
| 2 | 215,278.208 |
| 5 | 538,195.521 |
| 10 | 1,076,391.042 |
| 25 | 2,690,977.604 |
| 50 | 5,381,955.208 |
| 100 | 10,763,910.417 |
| 250 | 26,909,776.042 |
| 500 | 53,819,552.084 |
| 1,000 | 107,639,104.167 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Hectare to Square Foot?
To convert Hectare to Square Foot, enter the value in Hectare in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our area converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Hectare to Square Foot?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Hectare and Square Foot. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Square Foot back to Hectare?
Yes! You can easily convert Square Foot back to Hectare by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Square Foot to Hectare converter page. You can also explore other area conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Hectare and Square Foot?
Hectare and Square Foot are both standard units used in area measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our area converter for more conversion options.
For more area conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
All Area Conversions
Other Area Units and Conversions
Explore other area units and their conversion options:
- Square Meter (m²) • Hectare to Square Meter
- Square Kilometer (km²) • Hectare to Square Kilometer
- Square Centimeter (cm²) • Hectare to Square Centimeter
- Square Millimeter (mm²) • Hectare to Square Millimeter
- Square Inch (in²) • Hectare to Square Inch
- Square Yard (yd²) • Hectare to Square Yard
- Square Mile (mi²) • Hectare to Square Mile
- Acre (acre) • Hectare to Acre
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Standards for area measurements
Last verified: December 3, 2025