Square Meter to Square Kilometer Converter
Convert square meters to square kilometers with our free online area converter.
Quick Answer
1 Square Meter = 0.000001 square kilometers
Formula: Square Meter × conversion factor = Square Kilometer
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 Kilometer Calculator
How to Use the Square Meter to Square Kilometer Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Square Meter).
- The converted value in Square Kilometer 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 Kilometer: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Square Meter to Square Kilometer involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Square Meter = 1.0000e-6 square kilometersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 square meters: 10 × 1.0000e-6 = 1.0000e-5 square kilometers
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 Kilometer?
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)
The Square Kilometer (symbol: km² or sq km) is a multiple of the square meter (m²), the base unit of area in the International System of Units (SI). It represents the area of a square whose sides measure exactly one kilometer (km) in length.
Key relationships:
- 1 km² = 1 kilometer × 1 kilometer
- 1 km = 1,000 meters (m)
- Therefore, 1 km² = (1,000 m) × (1,000 m) = 1,000,000 square meters (m²)
- 1 km² = 100 hectares (ha) (since 1 hectare = 10,000 m²)
In terms of imperial/US customary units:
- 1 km² ≈ 0.3861 square miles (mi²) - Convert km² to mi²
- 1 km² ≈ 247.1 acres (ac) - Convert km² to acres
- 1 km² ≈ 10,763,910 square feet (ft²)
Visual perspective:
- 1 km² = 100 football fields (American)
- 1 km² = ~150 soccer fields
- 1 km² = Walking distance of about 1 km × 1 km
- 10 km² = Typical small town
- 100 km² = Medium-sized city
- 1,000 km² = Large metropolitan area
Convert between area units: Square kilometer converter
Note: The Square Meter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Square Kilometer belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Square Meter and Square Kilometer
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)
-
Origin: The square kilometer is derived directly from the kilometer, a unit of length introduced as part of the metric system, which was developed in France during the late 18th century (1790s).
-
Metric System Adoption: The metric system, including the meter and its multiples like the kilometer, was created to provide a standardized, decimal-based system of measurement to replace the chaotic local units of pre-revolutionary France.
-
Natural Evolution: As nations began adopting the metric system throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the square kilometer naturally became the standard unit for expressing large geographical areas - countries, regions, cities, lakes, and forests.
-
International Standardization: The need for a universal unit for geographical measurement became critical as:
- World maps and atlases were standardized
- International treaties needed land area specifications
- Global trade required consistent land measurements
- Scientific exploration needed standard area units
-
SI Standard: The International System of Units (SI), formally established in 1960, confirmed the square meter (m²) as the base unit of area. The square kilometer is a widely accepted and commonly used multiple of this base unit, consistent with SI prefixes (kilo = 1,000).
-
Global Usage Today: The square kilometer is now the predominant unit used worldwide for measuring:
- Land area of countries and territories
- Surface area of continents and islands
- Size of administrative divisions (states, provinces, counties)
- Area of cities and metropolitan regions
- Size of bodies of water (lakes, seas)
- Extent of forests, deserts, and ecosystems
- National parks and protected areas
-
Note on spelling: "Kilometer" (US) and "kilometre" (UK/International) both produce "square kilometer" and "square kilometre" respectively, both referring to the same unit: 1,000,000 m².
Common Uses and Applications: square meters vs square kilometers
Explore the typical applications for both Square Meter (metric) and Square Kilometer (metric) 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 kilometers
The square kilometer is the international standard for measuring large-scale areas:
Geography and Cartography
The standard unit for stating land or surface area of countries, continents, large islands, administrative divisions (states, provinces), and major cities.
Geographic Applications:
- Country and territory sizes
- Continental land masses
- Island and archipelago areas
- Administrative boundaries
- Political divisions
- City and metropolitan areas
Why it's universal:
- Standardized for international comparison
- Used in atlases, maps, and geographic databases
- Required for official government statistics
- Essential for treaties and agreements
Convert for international comparisons
Demography
Essential for calculating population density, typically expressed as inhabitants per square kilometer (people/km²). This is the international standard for comparing population distribution.
Population Density Uses:
- Comparing urban vs rural population spread
- Planning infrastructure needs
- Resource allocation per capita
- Understanding settlement patterns
- Environmental impact assessment
Formula: Population Density = Total Population ÷ Area (km²)
Example: Japan has 333 people/km², while Canada has only 4 people/km²
Environmental Science
Measuring the extent of large ecosystems, national parks, conservation areas, watersheds, ice sheets, deforestation, and environmental impacts.
Environmental Applications:
- Forest monitoring: Amazon = 5.5 million km²
- Deforestation tracking: Loss measured in km²/year
- Protected areas: Park sizes, marine reserves
- Ice sheet coverage: Antarctic ice = 14 million km²
- Disaster areas: Flood extent, wildfire spread, oil spill coverage
- Habitat mapping: Species range and distribution
Climate Research:
- Sea ice extent (measured seasonally in km²)
- Glacier coverage changes
- Desert expansion/contraction
- Vegetation cover changes
Use our square kilometer converter for environmental calculations.
Urban Planning and Land Management
Quantifying large zones, districts, or total city area in regional planning, metropolitan development, and land use management.
Urban Applications:
- City boundaries and total area
- Metropolitan area extent
- Urban sprawl measurement
- Zoning district sizes
- Green space allocation
- Development planning
Regional Planning:
- Transportation networks
- Utility coverage areas
- Emergency service zones
- School district boundaries
- Municipal service areas
Geology and Planetary Science
Measuring the surface area of large geological formations or the surface areas of planets, moons, and asteroids.
Geological Features:
- Volcanic fields
- Impact craters
- Lava flow areas
- Tectonic plate coverage
- Mineral deposit areas
Planetary Measurements:
- Earth surface: 510 million km²
- Mars surface: 145 million km²
- Moon surface: 38 million km²
- Crater sizes on planets/moons
Military and Logistics
Defining large operational areas, zones, and territories for defense, operations planning, and strategic analysis.
Military Applications:
- Theater of operations
- Exclusion zones
- Patrol areas
- Training grounds
- Strategic territories
Real Estate and Property (Large Scale)
While hectares or acres are more common for individual properties, square kilometers are used for:
- Very large land holdings (ranches, estates)
- Land development projects
- Agricultural regions
- Forestry concessions
- Mining leases
Example: A large cattle ranch might be 100-500 km²
Agriculture (Regional Scale)
While individual farms use hectares, agricultural regions and total crop areas are measured in square kilometers:
- Total agricultural land per country
- Grain belt regions
- Wine regions
- Crop suitability zones
- Irrigation coverage areas
Example: Corn Belt in USA covers approximately 500,000 km²
International Comparisons
Essential for comparing regions, countries, and geographic features across borders and continents.
Comparison Uses:
- "Country X is about the size of State Y"
- "This forest is larger than Country Z"
- "The disaster area equals 10 times the size of City A"
Common Comparisons:
- Singapore (728 km²) is smaller than New York City (1,214 km²)
- United Kingdom (242,495 km²) is about the same size as Oregon (254,799 km²)
- Australia (7.7 million km²) is about the same size as the contiguous USA (8.1 million km²)
Convert for comparisons: km² to square miles | km² to acres
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 Kilometer (km²)
How many square meters are in one square kilometer?
There are exactly 1,000,000 square meters (m²) in one square kilometer.
Calculation: 1 km² = 1,000 m × 1,000 m = 1,000,000 m²
Conversion:
- 1 km² = 1,000,000 m²
- 0.1 km² = 100,000 m²
- 0.01 km² = 10,000 m²
- Example: 2.5 km² = 2,500,000 m²
Use our square kilometer to square meter converter for instant conversions.
How many hectares are in one square kilometer?
There are exactly 100 hectares (ha) in one square kilometer.
Why: 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² and 1 ha = 10,000 m², therefore: 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² ÷ 10,000 m²/ha = 100 ha
Conversion examples:
- 1 km² = 100 hectares
- 10 km² = 1,000 hectares
- 0.5 km² = 50 hectares
- 2.5 km² = 250 hectares
When to use which:
- Hectares: Farms, parks, smaller land areas (1-1,000 ha)
- Square kilometers: Cities, regions, countries (0.1+ km²)
Convert between them: km² to hectares | Hectares to km²
How do you convert square kilometers to square miles?
To convert square kilometers to square miles, multiply the area in square kilometers by approximately 0.386102.
Conversion formula: Area [mi²] ≈ Area [km²] × 0.386102
Examples:
- 1 km² ≈ 0.386 mi²
- 10 km² ≈ 3.86 mi²
- 100 km² ≈ 38.6 mi²
- 1,000 km² ≈ 386 mi²
Reverse conversion (square miles to square kilometers):
- Multiply by approximately 2.58999
- 1 mi² ≈ 2.59 km²
Why this factor?:
- 1 km = 0.621371 miles
- 1 km² = (0.621371)² = 0.386102 mi²
Use our km² to mi² converter for accurate conversions without manual calculation.
Is the square kilometer an official SI unit?
Technically, the official SI derived unit for area is the square meter (m²).
However, the square kilometer (km²) is a standard and fully accepted multiple within the metric system and for use alongside SI units.
Why it's accepted:
- Formed by combining an SI prefix (kilo-) with the SI base unit (meter) raised to the power of two
- Follows SI conventions and decimal scaling
- Listed in SI documentation as a "unit accepted for use with SI"
- Used universally in scientific, technical, and official applications
In practice:
- m² is the "base" SI unit for area
- km² is the practical unit for large areas
- Both are fully part of the international metric system
What is the difference between a kilometer and a square kilometer?
Kilometer (km) is a unit of length or distance (one dimension). Square kilometer (km²) is a unit of area (two dimensions).
The difference:
Kilometer (km) - 1D:
- Measures distance, length, height
- Examples: Road length, height of mountain, distance between cities
- Linear measurement
Square Kilometer (km²) - 2D:
- Measures area, surface
- Examples: Size of a country, area of a lake, extent of a forest
- Represents a square with sides of one kilometer each
Key distinction:
- 10 km might be the distance from point A to point B
- 10 km² might be the area of a small town
Analogy:
- Kilometer is like measuring the perimeter of a fence
- Square kilometer is like measuring the area inside the fence
How big is 1 square kilometer visually?
1 square kilometer (km²) is a square with sides exactly 1 kilometer (1,000 meters) long.
Visual comparisons:
- 100 American football fields (including end zones)
- About 150 soccer/football fields
- 0.39 square miles (just over 1/3 of a square mile)
- 247 acres (almost 250 acres)
- A 10-minute walk around the perimeter (4 km)
In city terms:
- Small to medium neighborhood
- 2-4 city blocks (in large US cities)
- Area you could see from a tall building
- Walking distance of 15-20 minutes to cross
In rural terms:
- Large farm
- Small village area
- Several hundred house lots
Perspective:
- Central Park (NYC): 3.41 km²
- Vatican City: 0.44 km²
- Monaco: 2.02 km²
How to visualize: Imagine walking 1 km north, then 1 km east, then 1 km south, then 1 km west back to start - the area inside is 1 km².
What is 100 km² equivalent to?
100 square kilometers = 38.6 square miles = 10,000 hectares = 24,710 acres
City examples (approximately 100 km² or close):
- Paris (city proper): 105 km²
- Washington, D.C.: 177 km²
- Boston: 232 km²
- San Francisco: 121 km²
- Miami: 143 km²
- Manhattan: 59 km² (about 60% of 100 km²)
Country examples (small island nations):
- Maldives: 300 km² (about 3 times)
- Grenada: 344 km² (about 3.5 times)
- Saint Vincent: 389 km² (about 4 times)
Natural features:
- Medium-sized lake
- Large national park or nature reserve
- Small island
- Significant forest area
Population examples:
- At urban density (5,000 people/km²): 500,000 people
- At suburban density (1,000 people/km²): 100,000 people
- At rural density (50 people/km²): 5,000 people
Practical understanding:
- Medium-sized city or large town
- Area you could drive across in 15-30 minutes
- Typical county in smaller US states
Convert 100 km²: to square miles | to hectares
How do you calculate the area in square kilometers?
Basic formula for rectangles: Area (km²) = Length (km) × Width (km)
Step-by-step process:
1. Measure dimensions:
- Measure length and width in kilometers
- If measured in meters, divide by 1,000 to get kilometers
- If measured in miles, multiply by 1.609 to get kilometers
2. Calculate:
- Multiply length by width
- Result is in square kilometers
Examples:
Example 1 - Simple rectangle:
- Length: 5 km
- Width: 3 km
- Area = 5 km × 3 km = 15 km²
Example 2 - From meters:
- Length: 2,500 meters = 2.5 km
- Width: 4,000 meters = 4 km
- Area = 2.5 km × 4 km = 10 km²
Example 3 - From miles:
- Length: 6 miles = 9.66 km
- Width: 4 miles = 6.44 km
- Area = 9.66 km × 6.44 km ≈ 62.2 km²
For complex shapes:
Circle:
- Area = π × radius²
- If radius = 5 km: Area = 3.14159 × 5² ≈ 78.5 km²
Irregular shapes:
- Divide into triangles/rectangles
- Calculate each section
- Add all sections together
- Or use GIS/mapping software
Using GPS coordinates:
- Use online area calculators
- Import coordinates into GIS software
- Software calculates irregular polygons automatically
Verification:
- Use our area converter to check your calculations
- Convert to other units to verify makes sense
What countries are about 1,000 km²?
Countries close to 1,000 km² (between 500-1,500 km²):
Very close to 1,000 km²:
- Hong Kong: 1,104 km²
- Samoa: 2,842 km²
- Luxembourg: 2,586 km²
- Mauritius: 2,040 km²
Between 500-1,000 km²:
- Singapore: 728 km²
- Bahrain: 778 km²
- Kiribati: 811 km²
- Tonga: 747 km²
- Federated States of Micronesia: 702 km²
- Saint Lucia: 617 km²
- Andorra: 468 km²
Between 1,000-1,500 km²:
- Cape Verde: 4,033 km²
- Trinidad and Tobago: 5,131 km²
- Comoros: 1,862 km²
- São Tomé and Príncipe: 964 km²
For comparison:
- 1,000 km² = 386 square miles
- About the size of Hong Kong or 10x the size of Paris
- Smaller than most US counties
- Medium-sized metropolitan area
Interesting fact: Only about 30 countries are smaller than 1,000 km², mostly island nations and microstates.
How many acres is a square kilometer?
1 square kilometer = 247.105 acres (commonly rounded to 247 acres)
Conversion formula: Acres = km² × 247.105
Examples:
- 1 km² = 247 acres
- 5 km² = 1,235 acres
- 10 km² = 2,471 acres
- 100 km² = 24,710 acres
- 0.1 km² = 24.7 acres
Reverse conversion (acres to km²):
- 1 acre = 0.00405 km²
- 100 acres = 0.405 km²
- 1,000 acres = 4.05 km²
- 10,000 acres = 40.5 km²
Perspective:
- A square kilometer is about 247 football fields
- A large farm might be 200-400 acres (0.8-1.6 km²)
- A golf course is typically 50-80 acres (0.2-0.3 km²)
When to use which:
- Acres: US land parcels, farms, developments (< 1,000 acres)
- Square kilometers: Large regions, cities, countries (> 0.5 km²)
Use our converter: km² to acres | Acres to km²
How is square kilometers different from cubic kilometers?
Square Kilometers (km²) and Cubic Kilometers (km³) measure different things:
Square Kilometers (km²) - AREA (2D):
- Measures surface area
- Two-dimensional
- Example: Land area of a country, surface of a lake
- Unit: km × km = km²
Cubic Kilometers (km³) - VOLUME (3D):
- Measures volume or capacity
- Three-dimensional
- Example: Volume of water in a lake, ice in a glacier
- Unit: km × km × km = km³
Real-world examples:
Lake Michigan:
- Area (surface): 58,000 km²
- Volume (water): 4,920 km³
Amazon Rainforest:
- Area (coverage): 5,500,000 km²
- Volume (if measuring biomass in 3D): Would be km³
City:
- Area (footprint): Measured in km²
- Volume (including buildings/air): Could be km³ (rarely used)
Key differences:
| Feature | km² (Area) | km³ (Volume) | |---------|-----------|--------------| | Dimensions | 2D (length × width) | 3D (length × width × height) | | Measures | Surface area | Space/capacity | | Examples | Country size, lake surface | Water volume, ice volume | | Conversion | 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² | 1 km³ = 1,000,000,000 m³ |
Remember:
- km² = Flat surface measurement
- km³ = 3D space measurement
What is the area of the Earth in square kilometers?
Total Earth surface area: Approximately 510,000,000 km² (510 million km²)
Breakdown:
Water (Oceans and seas):
- Area: ~361,000,000 km² (361 million km²)
- Percentage: ~71% of Earth's surface
- All oceans, seas, lakes combined
Land:
- Area: ~149,000,000 km² (149 million km²)
- Percentage: ~29% of Earth's surface
- All continents and islands
Continents by area:
- Asia: 44,579,000 km²
- Africa: 30,370,000 km²
- North America: 24,709,000 km²
- South America: 17,840,000 km²
- Antarctica: 14,000,000 km² (varies with ice)
- Europe: 10,180,000 km²
- Australia/Oceania: 8,600,000 km²
Oceans by area:
- Pacific: 165,200,000 km²
- Atlantic: 106,460,000 km²
- Indian: 70,560,000 km²
- Southern: 20,327,000 km²
- Arctic: 14,060,000 km²
In other units:
- 510 million km² = 196.9 million mi²
- 510 million km² = 51 billion hectares
Interesting comparisons:
- Russia (largest country): 17 million km² = 3.3% of Earth's surface
- Pacific Ocean alone: 32% of Earth's surface
- All land combined: About the size of the Pacific Ocean + Atlantic Ocean
Note: These are approximate values; exact measurements vary slightly based on sea level, ice coverage, and measurement methodology.
Conversion Table: Square Meter to Square Kilometer
| Square Meter (m²) | Square Kilometer (km²) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 |
| 1.5 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 250 | 0 |
| 500 | 0.001 |
| 1,000 | 0.001 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Square Meter to Square Kilometer?
To convert Square Meter to Square Kilometer, 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 Kilometer?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Square Meter and Square Kilometer. 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 Kilometer back to Square Meter?
Yes! You can easily convert Square Kilometer back to Square Meter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Square Kilometer 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 Kilometer?
Square Meter and Square Kilometer 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 Centimeter (cm²) • Square Meter to Square Centimeter
- Square Millimeter (mm²) • Square Meter to Square Millimeter
- Square Inch (in²) • Square Meter to Square Inch
- Square Foot (ft²) • Square Meter to Square Foot
- 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