Square Meter to Hectare Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert square meters to hectares with our free online area converter.
Square Meter to Hectare Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Square Meter).
- The converted value in Hectare 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 Square Meter to Hectare
Converting Square Meter to Hectare involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Square Meter = 0.0001 hectaresExample Calculation:
Convert 10 square meters: 10 × 0.0001 = 0.001 hectares
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.
What is a Square Meter and a Hectare?
The Square Meter (symbol: m² or sq m) is the fundamental unit of area in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one meter (m) in length, the SI base unit for length.
Mathematically: 1 m² = 1 meter × 1 meter
It forms the basis for other metric area units using SI prefixes:
- 1 square kilometer (km²) = 1,000,000 m²
- 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m²
- 1 square centimeter (cm²) = 0.0001 m² (or 1 m² = 10,000 cm²)
- 1 square millimeter (mm²) = 0.000001 m² (or 1 m² = 1,000,000 mm²)
In terms of imperial/US customary units:
- 1 m² ≈ 10.764 square feet (ft²)
- 1 m² ≈ 1.196 square yards (yd²)
- 1 m² ≈ 0.000247 acres (ac)
The hectare (symbol: ha) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters (m²). It is primarily used in the measurement of land. One hectare represents the area of a square with 100-meter sides.
It is equivalent to:
- 1 square hectometer (hm²)
- 100 ares (where 1 are = 100 m²)
- 0.01 square kilometers (km²)
- Approximately 2.471 acres
- Approximately 107,639 square feet (ft²)
The name "hectare" combines the metric prefix hecto- (meaning "hundred") with the unit are.
Note: The Square Meter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Hectare belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Square Meter and Hectare
- Origin (The Meter): The square meter is derived directly from the meter. The meter was first defined during the French Revolution in the 1790s, initially as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator along the meridian passing through Paris.
- Metric System Development: As the metric system was developed and refined, the square meter emerged as the logical and coherent unit for area, based on the fundamental unit of length.
- Treaty of the Metre (1875): This international treaty established the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), and the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) to maintain and standardize the metric system, solidifying the role of the meter and its derived units.
- SI Establishment (1960): The 11th CGPM formally established the International System of Units (SI), designating the meter as one of the seven base units and confirming the square meter as the derived unit for area.
- Redefinition of the Meter (1983, 2019): The definition of the meter itself has been refined over time for greater precision, now being based on the speed of light, a fundamental constant of nature. This precision underpins the definition of the square meter.
- Origin (French Revolution): The base unit, the are, was defined in 1795 as 100 square meters as part of the new metric system established during the French Revolution. The hectare ("hundred ares") was created alongside it as a larger, more practical unit for land measurement.
- Adoption: While the are saw some use, the hectare quickly became the preferred metric unit for land transactions and agricultural measurements due to its convenient size, bridging the gap between the square meter and the square kilometer.
- International Recognition: The hectare was adopted by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) in 1879. Although the are fell out of favor, the hectare gained widespread international acceptance.
- Status with SI: While the official SI unit of area is the square meter (m²), the hectare is explicitly accepted for use with the International System of Units (SI). Its continued use is recognized due to its global importance in land measurement, agriculture, and forestry.
Common Uses for square meters and hectares
Explore the typical applications for both Square Meter (metric) and Hectare (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for square meters
The square meter is the globally recognized standard for area and is used extensively across countless fields:
- Real Estate and Construction: The primary unit for specifying floor area of buildings, room sizes, and land parcel sizes (especially smaller plots) in nearly all countries using the metric system.
- Science and Engineering: Ubiquitous in physics (e.g., pressure (Pascal = N/m²), intensity), chemistry (surface area calculations), material science, and all engineering disciplines for surface area, cross-sectional area, and related calculations.
- Manufacturing: Measuring the area of sheet materials like textiles, paper, metal sheeting, plastics, and glass.
- Retail (Flooring, Fabric, etc.): Used for selling materials priced by area, such as carpets, tiles, vinyl flooring, and fabrics.
- Agriculture and Forestry: While hectares are common for larger land areas, square meters can be used for smaller plots, experimental fields, or precise measurements.
- Gardening and Landscaping: Calculating areas for lawns, garden beds, patios, or amounts of materials needed (e.g., topsoil, mulch).
- Environmental Monitoring: Measuring sampling areas or specific zones.
- Mapping and Surveying: Used for precise area calculations on maps and plans, especially at local scales.
Common Uses for hectares
The hectare is the principal metric unit for land area measurement in many fields globally:
- Agriculture: Standard unit worldwide for measuring farm sizes, field areas, crop yields, and agricultural statistics (e.g., FAO reports).
- Forestry: Used for measuring forest extents, logging areas, and managing timber resources.
- Urban Planning and Land Management: Employed in zoning regulations, measuring park sizes, planning large-scale developments, and conducting environmental impact assessments across most metricated nations.
- Real Estate: The standard unit for large land parcels in most countries (though acres may persist alongside it in some Commonwealth nations transitioning from imperial).
- International Law and Treaties: Often used in legal definitions of land boundaries and resource allocation agreements (e.g., within the European Union).
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Square Meter (m²)
Is the square meter the base SI unit for area?
Yes, the square meter (m²) is the SI derived unit for area. It is derived from the SI base unit of length, the meter (m).
How big is a square meter visually?
It's the area of a square with sides exactly one meter long. You can visualize it as roughly the area covered by:
- A very large bath towel.
- A small dining table for two people.
- About half the surface of a standard single door.
How do you convert square meters to square feet?
To convert square meters to square feet, multiply the area in square meters by approximately 10.764.
- Conversion formula: Area [ft²] ≈ Area [m²] × 10.764
- Example: 50 m² ≈ 50 × 10.764 ft² ≈ 538.2 ft²
Are square meters used in the United States?
While the US primarily uses the US customary system (square feet, square yards, acres) for everyday purposes like real estate and construction, the square meter is widely used in the US in:
- Science and Engineering: It's the standard in these fields.
- Manufacturing: Especially for companies involved in international trade.
- Government: Many government specifications and projects use metric units.
- Medicine: Used in various medical calculations.
What's the difference between a meter and a square meter?
A meter (m) is a unit of length or distance (one dimension). A square meter (m²) is a unit of area (two dimensions), representing the space enclosed within a square that has one-meter sides.
About Hectare (ha)
How large is a hectare visually?
A hectare is 10,000 square meters. A square hectare is 100 meters by 100 meters. For comparison:
- It's slightly smaller than an international rugby union pitch (max 100m x 70m = 7,000 m²).
- It's about 1.4 times the size of a standard FIFA football (soccer) pitch (recommended 105m x 68m = 7,140 m²).
- London's Trafalgar Square is roughly one hectare in area.
- An American football field (including end zones) is about 0.535 hectares.
How many square meters are in a hectare?
There are exactly 10,000 square meters (m²) in one hectare (ha).
What is an "are" and how does it relate to a hectare?
The are (symbol: a) is another metric unit of area defined as 100 square meters (a square 10 meters by 10 meters). It was part of the original metric system. A hectare is equal to 100 ares. The are itself is rarely used today, but the hectare remains very common.
How many acres are in a hectare?
One hectare is approximately 2.471 acres. To convert hectares to acres, multiply by 2.471. Conversely, 1 acre is about 0.4047 hectares.
How many hectares are in a square kilometer?
There are exactly 100 hectares in one square kilometer (km²). This is because 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² and 1 ha = 10,000 m², so 1,000,000 / 10,000 = 100.
Is the hectare an official SI unit?
No, the hectare (ha) is not a base or derived unit within the International System of Units (SI). The SI unit for area is the square meter (m²). However, the hectare is listed by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) as a non-SI unit accepted for use with the SI due to its widespread practical importance, particularly in land measurement.
Conversion Table: Square Meter to Hectare
| Square Meter (m²) | Hectare (ha) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0.001 |
| 10 | 0.001 |
| 25 | 0.003 |
| 50 | 0.005 |
| 100 | 0.01 |
| 500 | 0.05 |
| 1,000 | 0.1 |