Square Meter to Square Foot Converter
Convert square meters to square feet with our free online area converter.
Quick Answer
1 Square Meter = 10.76391 square feet
Formula: Square Meter × conversion factor = Square Foot
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Square Meter to Square Foot Calculator
How to Use the Square Meter to Square Foot Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Square Meter).
- 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 Square Meter to Square Foot: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Square Meter to Square Foot involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Square Meter = 10.76391 square feetExample Calculation:
Convert 10 square meters: 10 × 10.76391 = 107.6391 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?
View all Area conversions →What is a Square Meter and a Square Foot?
and Standards
Mathematical Definition
The square meter (symbol: m², alternative: sq m) is the SI derived unit of area, defined as:
The area of a square whose sides measure exactly one meter in length.
Formula: $$ 1 \text{ m}^2 = 1 \text{ m} \times 1 \text{ m} $$
Dimensional Analysis: $$ [m^2] = [L^2] $$
Where [L] represents the dimension of length.
Relationship to the Meter
Since the meter is defined as the distance traveled by light in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second (exact definition since 1983), the square meter inherits extraordinary precision:
Meter definition (1983): The meter is the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second.
This makes the square meter one of the most precisely defined units in measurement, with uncertainty limited only by the realization of the time standard (atomic clocks).
SI Prefix System for Area
The square meter forms the basis for metric area units using SI prefixes:
Larger Units:
- 1 square kilometer (km²) = 1,000,000 m² = 10⁶ m²
- 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² = 10⁴ m² (not SI, but accepted for use with SI)
- 1 square dekameter (dam²) = 100 m² = 10² m² (rarely used)
Smaller Units:
- 1 square decimeter (dm²) = 0.01 m² = 10⁻² m²
- 1 square centimeter (cm²) = 0.0001 m² = 10⁻⁴ m²
- 1 square millimeter (mm²) = 0.000001 m² = 10⁻⁶ m²
- 1 square micrometer (μm²) = 10⁻¹² m²
- 1 square nanometer (nm²) = 10⁻¹⁸ m²
Important Note: When using SI prefixes with area, the exponent applies to the entire prefix+base combination:
- 1 km² = (10³ m)² = 10⁶ m² (NOT 10³ m²)
- 1 cm² = (10⁻² m)² = 10⁻⁴ m² (NOT 10⁻² m²)
Imperial/US Customary Conversions
Exact conversions (based on 1 m = 39.3701 inches exactly, by international yard definition):
- 1 m² = 10.763910417 square feet (ft²) ≈ 10.764 ft²
- 1 m² = 1.19599005 square yards (yd²) ≈ 1.196 yd²
- 1 m² = 1,550.0031 square inches (in²) ≈ 1,550 in²
- 1 m² = 0.0001 hectares (ha)
- 1 m² = 0.000247105381 acres (ac) ≈ 0.000247 ac
Inverse conversions:
- 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m² (exactly)
- 1 yd² = 0.83612736 m² (exactly)
- 1 acre = 4,046.8564224 m² (exactly)
- 1 hectare = 10,000 m² (exactly)
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 Square Meter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Square Foot belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Square Meter and Square Foot
and Evolution
The French Revolution and the Meter (1790s)
The square meter's history begins with the creation of the meter during the French Revolution (1789-1799).
Pre-Revolution Chaos:
- France had over 250,000 different local units of measurement
- "Pied" (foot) varied from 9.6 to 13.6 inches depending on the region
- Trade and commerce suffered from lack of standardization
The Revolutionary Solution (1791):
- French Academy of Sciences commissioned to create a universal measurement system
- Meter definition: One ten-millionth (1/10,000,000) of the distance from the North Pole to the Equator along the meridian passing through Paris
- Name derived from Greek "metron" (measure)
Why This Definition?
- Based on Earth itself—universal, not tied to any nation
- Reproducible anywhere on Earth (in theory)
- Decimal system: easy calculations
Meridian Survey (1792-1799):
- Astronomers Jean-Baptiste Delambre and Pierre Méchain measured the meridian arc from Dunkirk (France) to Barcelona (Spain)
- 7-year survey through war-torn countryside
- Distance: 1,000 km, extrapolated to full quadrant
- Result: 1 meter = 39.37 inches
The Square Meter Emerges (1795-1800)
As the meter became established, derived units naturally followed:
1795: The square meter adopted for land measurement in France, replacing:
- "Arpent" (varied by region: 3,000-5,000 m²)
- "Perche" (rod, also varied widely)
- Dozens of regional area units
Decimal Advantages:
- 1 square meter = 100 square decimeters = 10,000 square centimeters
- Simple conversions: move decimal point
- Easy mental math for construction and commerce
Agricultural Impact:
- "Hectare" (10,000 m²) created for farm and forest measurement
- Replaced traditional "arpent" for cadastral (land registry) purposes
- French land registry converted to metric system (1795-1810)
International Adoption (1875-1960)
Treaty of the Metre (1875):
- 17 nations signed treaty in Paris
- Created International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Sèvres, France
- Established International Prototype Meter: platinum-iridium bar
- Square meter implicitly standardized as derived unit
Rapid Global Spread:
- 1872: Germany adopted metric system
- 1875: Italy adopted metric system
- 1886: India began metrication under British rule
- 1897: Japan adopted metric system
- 1918: Soviet Union made metric system mandatory
Construction and Real Estate:
- By 1900, most European architects specified building dimensions in meters
- Real estate listings in France, Germany, Italy used square meters exclusively
- Engineering drawings standardized on millimeter grids
Modern SI Era (1960-Present)
11th CGPM (1960): SI Establishment
- Square meter formally designated as SI derived unit for area
- Symbol officially standardized as "m²"
- Coherent unit: no conversion factors needed in SI calculations
Meter Redefinitions:
- 1960: Redefined using krypton-86 wavelength (more precise than physical bar)
- 1983: Current definition based on speed of light (c = 299,792,458 m/s exactly)
- Each redefinition made square meter more precise without changing its size
Global Metrication Wave (1960s-1990s):
- 1965: UK began metrication (completed in construction by 1995)
- 1970: Canada began official metrication
- 1972: Australia legislated metrication
- 1975: New Zealand made metric system official
- 1990s: China fully standardized on metric system
The US Exception:
- United States never fully metricated for domestic use
- However, US science, medicine, and military use metric extensively
- All US scientific publications specify areas in square meters
- International building projects use square meters
Digital Age (2000-Present):
- GPS systems calculate position in meters (WGS84 coordinate system)
- Satellite imagery measures land area in square meters/kilometers
- Online real estate platforms support m² ↔ ft² conversion
- Google Maps displays area measurements in square meters (outside US)
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: square meters vs square feet
Explore the typical applications for both Square Meter (metric) and Square Foot (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for square meters
Across Industries
1. Real Estate and Property
Global Standard:
- All countries except US, UK, Myanmar use m² for property listings
- UK increasingly uses m² alongside square feet
- International property platforms display both m² and ft²
Appraisal and Valuation:
- Property value calculated as: Price per m² × Total m²
- Comparables analyzed on price-per-m² basis
- Floor area ratio (FAR) = Total floor area (m²) ÷ Plot area (m²)
2. Architecture and Engineering
Building Design:
- All metric-system countries use meters for dimensions
- Architectural drawings specify room areas in m²
- Building codes specify minimum room sizes in m²
- Structural load calculations: kN/m² (kilonewtons per square meter)
Heating/Cooling Calculations:
- HVAC sizing based on m² floor area
- Rule of thumb: 100 W/m² heating, 50-80 W/m² cooling
- Insulation R-values specify thermal resistance per m²
3. Construction and Contracting
Project Estimation:
- Labor costs: Hours per m²
- Material quantities: Units per m²
- Project timeline: m² completed per day
Concrete Work:
- Formwork: m² of form surface
- Reinforcement: kg steel per m² of slab
- Finishing: m² per hour per worker
4. Environmental Science
Land Use Studies:
- Forest cover: m² per capita
- Urban density: people per m²
- Impervious surface: m² of pavement/buildings
Ecology:
- Species density: individuals per m²
- Biomass: kg per m² (standing biomass)
- Net primary productivity: gC/m²/year
5. Urban Planning
Zoning Regulations:
- Minimum lot size: m²
- Maximum building footprint: % of lot area
- Open space requirements: m² per dwelling unit
- Parking requirements: Spaces per 100 m² of building
Infrastructure:
- Road surface area: lane-meters × width = m²
- Park space: m² per 1,000 residents
- Sidewalk area: linear meters × width
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 Square Meter (m²)
Is the square meter the SI base unit for area?
No, the square meter is an SI derived unit, not a base unit. It is derived from the meter, which is one of the seven SI base units (length).
The seven SI base units:
- meter (m) — length
- kilogram (kg) — mass
- second (s) — time
- ampere (A) — electric current
- kelvin (K) — temperature
- mole (mol) — amount of substance
- candela (cd) — luminous intensity
Derived units are combinations of base units. The square meter combines the meter with itself: m × m = m².
How big is 1 square meter visually?
Visual Comparisons:
- A square 1 meter (3.28 feet) on each side
- Slightly larger than a standard single mattress width
- About 1.5 bath towels laid flat
- A small dining table for 2 people
- Half of a standard hollow-core door surface
You can physically measure it:
- Use a meter stick or measuring tape
- Mark a square: 100 cm × 100 cm
- This is exactly 1 m²
How do you calculate square meters of a room?
For Rectangular Rooms: $$ \text{Area} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} $$
Example:
- Length: 5 meters
- Width: 4 meters
- Area: 5 × 4 = 20 m²
For L-Shaped Rooms:
- Divide into rectangles
- Calculate each rectangle separately
- Add the areas together
Example:
- Rectangle 1: 5m × 3m = 15 m²
- Rectangle 2: 2m × 2m = 4 m²
- Total: 15 + 4 = 19 m²
For Irregular Shapes:
- Use graph paper (1cm = 0.1m scale)
- Draw room outline
- Count squares
- Or hire a professional surveyor
Are square meters used in the United States?
Limited Domestic Use: The US primarily uses square feet for real estate and construction. However, square meters are used in:
1. Science and Research:
- All scientific publications
- Laboratory measurements
- Academic research
2. Medicine:
- Body surface area (BSA) calculations
- Drug dosing (mg per m² of body surface)
- Burn treatment (% body surface area)
3. Manufacturing:
- International trade
- Import/export specifications
- ISO standards compliance
4. Military:
- US Department of Defense uses metric
- NATO standardization
5. International Business:
- Global companies report in m²
- Construction projects abroad
How many square meters is a typical house?
Varies Dramatically by Country:
North America:
- USA average: 200-250 m² (2,150-2,690 ft²)
- Canada average: 180-220 m² (1,940-2,370 ft²)
Europe:
- UK average: 85-90 m² (915-970 ft²)
- Germany: 90-120 m² (970-1,290 ft²)
- France: 100-130 m² (1,076-1,400 ft²)
- Netherlands: 115 m² (1,240 ft²)
Asia:
- Japan: 90-100 m² (970-1,076 ft²)
- South Korea: 80-100 m² (860-1,076 ft²)
- Singapore: 90-110 m² (HDB flats)
- Hong Kong: 40-70 m² (extremely expensive)
Australia/New Zealand:
- Australia: 180-220 m² (1,940-2,370 ft²)
- New Zealand: 150-180 m² (1,615-1,940 ft²)
What is 10,000 square meters called?
10,000 m² = 1 hectare (ha)
Other Names:
- 0.01 square kilometers (km²)
- 2.471 acres
- 100 ares (obsolete unit)
- 10 dönüm (Turkey)
Visual Reference:
- Approximately a square 100m × 100m
- About 1.4 soccer fields (FIFA regulation: 7,140 m²)
- 2.5 American football fields (including end zones)
How much paint do I need for 100 square meters?
Wall Paint Coverage:
- Smooth walls: 10-12 m² per liter per coat
- Textured walls: 8-10 m² per liter per coat
- Rough/porous surfaces: 6-8 m² per liter per coat
For 100 m² Wall Area:
- Smooth walls, 2 coats: 100 ÷ 11 × 2 = 18-20 liters
- Textured walls, 2 coats: 100 ÷ 9 × 2 = 22-24 liters
Important:
- Always buy 10-20% extra for touch-ups
- Different brands have different coverage rates
- Primer typically covers 8-10 m² per liter
- Dark colors may need extra coats
How do you convert room dimensions to square meters?
Step-by-Step:
1. Measure in Meters:
- Use metric measuring tape
- Measure length and width
- Round to nearest centimeter (0.01m)
2. Multiply:
- Area = Length × Width
- Example: 4.20m × 3.80m = 15.96 m²
If You Have Feet/Inches:
- Convert to meters first: feet ÷ 3.281 = meters
- Example: 15 feet ÷ 3.281 = 4.57 meters
- Or use: 1 foot = 0.3048 meters exactly
Online Calculators:
- Many free calculators available
- Input feet, get meters
- Automatically calculate area
What is the difference between square meters and meters squared?
They're the Same Thing:
- m² (symbol)
- square meter (noun)
- meter squared (phrase)
- square metre (UK spelling)
All refer to the same unit of area.
Don't Confuse With:
- meters (m) = length (1-dimensional)
- cubic meters (m³) = volume (3-dimensional)
How accurate do square meter measurements need to be?
Depends on Application:
Real Estate Listings:
- Rounded to nearest m²
- ±2-5% tolerance acceptable
- Example: 98.7 m² listed as "99 m²"
Construction Contracts:
- 0.1 m² precision (nearest 10 cm)
- Critical for material ordering
- Example: 98.73 m² specified
Land Surveying:
- 0.01 m² or better
- Legal boundary definitions
- Example: 98.7284 m² in deed
Scientific Research:
- As precise as equipment allows
- Often 0.0001 m² or better
- Example: 98.728376 m² measured
Practical Advice:
- Residential: Round to nearest m²
- Commercial: Use 0.1 m² precision
- Legal: Get professional survey
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: Square Meter to Square Foot
| Square Meter (m²) | Square Foot (ft²) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 5.382 |
| 1 | 10.764 |
| 1.5 | 16.146 |
| 2 | 21.528 |
| 5 | 53.82 |
| 10 | 107.639 |
| 25 | 269.098 |
| 50 | 538.196 |
| 100 | 1,076.391 |
| 250 | 2,690.978 |
| 500 | 5,381.955 |
| 1,000 | 10,763.91 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Square Meter to Square Foot?
To convert Square Meter to Square Foot, enter the value in Square Meter 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 Square Meter to Square Foot?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Square Meter 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 Square Meter?
Yes! You can easily convert Square Foot back to Square Meter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Square Foot to Square Meter converter page. You can also explore other area conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Square Meter and Square Foot?
Square Meter 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 Kilometer (km²) • Square Meter to Square Kilometer
- Square Centimeter (cm²) • Square Meter to Square Centimeter
- Square Millimeter (mm²) • Square Meter to Square Millimeter
- Square Inch (in²) • Square Meter to Square Inch
- Square Yard (yd²) • Square Meter to Square Yard
- Square Mile (mi²) • Square Meter to Square Mile
- Acre (acre) • Square Meter to Acre
- Hectare (ha) • Square Meter to Hectare
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