Square Meter to Square Mile Converter
Convert square meters to square miles with our free online area converter.
Quick Answer
1 Square Meter = 3.861022e-7 square miles
Formula: Square Meter × conversion factor = Square Mile
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 Mile Calculator
How to Use the Square Meter to Square Mile Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Square Meter).
- The converted value in Square Mile 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 Mile: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Square Meter to Square Mile involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Square Meter = 3.8610e-7 square milesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 square meters: 10 × 3.8610e-7 = 3.8610e-6 square miles
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 Mile?
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
Mathematical Definition
The square mile (symbol: mi², alternative: sq mi) is a unit of area in the Imperial and US Customary systems, defined as:
The area of a square whose sides each measure exactly one statute mile in length.
Formula: $$ 1 \text{ mi}^2 = 1 \text{ mile} \times 1 \text{ mile} $$
Fundamental Relationships
Within the Imperial/US System:
- 1 mile = 5,280 feet (ft) = 1,760 yards (yd)
- 1 mi² = (5,280 ft)² = 27,878,400 ft²
- 1 mi² = (1,760 yd)² = 3,097,600 yd²
- 1 mi² = 640 acres (fundamental definition)
The 640-Acre Relationship: This is not arbitrary. The US survey system was designed so that:
- 1 section = 1 square mile = 640 acres
- ½ section = 320 acres
- ¼ section = 160 acres (historically a "homestead" size)
- ⅛ section = 80 acres
- 1/16 section = 40 acres
Metric Conversions (Exact):
Based on the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement:
- 1 mile = 1.609344 kilometers (exactly)
- 1 mi² = (1.609344 km)² = 2.58998811033 6 km²
Practical Metric Conversions:
- 1 mi² ≈ 2.59 km² (rounded)
- 1 mi² = 258.999 hectares ≈ 259 ha
- 1 mi² = 2,589,988 square meters
Visual Representation
A perfect square mile:
- Each side: 5,280 feet = 1.609 km
- Perimeter: 4 miles = 21,120 feet = 6.44 km
- Diagonal: 1.414 miles = 7,470 feet = 2.28 km
How big is it?
- About 505 soccer fields (FIFA regulation)
- About 484 American football fields (including end zones)
- About 1,280 city blocks (assuming 200 ft × 200 ft blocks)
- A 10-minute walk from one side to the opposite side
Note: The Square Meter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Square Mile belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Square Meter and Square Mile
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
The Roman Mile (Ancient Origins)
The word "mile" comes from the Latin "mille passus" (thousand paces).
Roman Definition:
- 1 pace (passus) = 2 steps = 5 Roman feet (pes)
- 1,000 paces = 5,000 Roman feet = 1 Roman mile
- 1 Roman mile ≈ 4,850 modern feet (about 1,480 meters)
Roman Land Measurement:
- Romans used the jugerum (about 2/3 acre) for agricultural land
- Centuriation: land divided into square grids for colonial settlements
- This grid system influenced later European land survey methods
Medieval England: Mile Chaos (500-1500 AD)
Multiple "Miles" Existed Simultaneously:
- Old London Mile: 5,000 feet
- Irish Mile: 6,720 feet (2.048 km)
- Scottish Mile: 5,952 feet (1.814 km)
- Various local miles: ranged from 4,800 to 7,000 feet
Why the confusion?
- Different regions had different "feet" lengths
- Local lords defined their own measurement standards
- Trade and legal disputes were common
The Statute Mile (1593)
Queen Elizabeth I's Parliament (1593):
- Standardized the statute mile at exactly 5,280 feet
- Made it the official measurement for England
- Named "statute" because it was defined by statute (law)
Why 5,280 feet?
- 1 mile = 8 furlongs (furlong = 660 feet, used in agriculture)
- 1 furlong = 10 chains (chain = 66 feet, standard surveyor's chain)
- This made conversions between agricultural measures convenient
Square Mile Standardization:
- As the statute mile was defined, the square mile naturally followed
- 1 mi² = 640 acres (this relationship was crucial for land sales)
British Empire and Colonial Land Surveys (1600s-1800s)
Square Mile in Colonial Administration:
- Used throughout British Empire for measuring:
- Colonial territories
- Land grants to settlers
- Administrative districts
- Natural resources (forests, mining claims)
Challenges:
- Early surveys often inaccurate (limited technology)
- Terrain (mountains, rivers) made perfect square miles impossible
- Native land claims conflicted with colonial grid systems
US Public Land Survey System (1785)
The Land Ordinance of 1785:
Perhaps the most important application of the square mile in history.
Problem: The newly independent United States owned vast unsurveyed western territories (Northwest Territory: modern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota).
Solution: Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785, creating a systematic survey grid.
The System:
Township: 6 miles × 6 miles = 36 square miles
- Divided into 36 sections
- Each section numbered 1-36 (specific numbering pattern)
Section: 1 mile × 1 mile = 1 square mile = 640 acres
- The fundamental unit of sale
- Could be subdivided: half-section (320 ac), quarter-section (160 ac), etc.
Quarter-Section: ½ mile × ½ mile = 160 acres
- Became the standard homestead size (Homestead Act of 1862)
- Considered sufficient for a family farm
Impact:
- Surveyed over 1.5 billion acres (2.3 million square miles)
- Used in 30 US states (primarily west of the Ohio River)
- Created the rectangular field patterns visible from aircraft today
- Property descriptions still use this system: "SW¼ of Section 12, Township 3N, Range 4W"
States Using PLSS: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
States NOT Using PLSS (Original 13 colonies plus Texas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia): These states used metes and bounds surveying (descriptive: "from the oak tree to the creek to the stone wall...").
International Yard Agreement (1959)
Standardization of the Yard/Foot/Mile:
- US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa agreed
- 1 yard = 0.9144 meters (exactly)
- 1 foot = 0.3048 meters (exactly)
- 1 mile = 1.609344 kilometers (exactly)
- 1 square mile = 2.589988110336 km² (exactly)
Why This Mattered:
- International scientific cooperation required consistent units
- Engineering projects crossing borders needed standards
- Eliminated minor differences between US and UK definitions
US Survey Foot Exception:
- US kept the "US survey foot" (1 ft = 1200/3937 m) for existing land records
- Difference: 2 parts per million (0.0002%)
- Matters for large-scale surveys spanning many miles
- Most states switched to international foot by 2023
Modern Era: Metrication and Persistence (1960-Present)
Global Metrication:
- 1965: UK began metrication (Ordnance Survey switched to km²)
- 1970: Canada officially metricated
- 1975: Australia completed metrication
- 1985: New Zealand fully metricated
US Resistance:
- Metric Conversion Act (1975): voluntary metrication—failed
- Square mile remains standard for US geography, census, planning
- All US atlases, maps, and official statistics use square miles
- Real estate still uses acres and square feet
Current Usage:
- United States: Exclusive standard for geographical areas
- United Kingdom: Mixed use (km² official, mi² still common)
- Canada: km² official, mi² understood by older generations
- Myanmar: Uses square mile
- Liberia: Uses square mile
International Organizations:
- UN, WHO, World Bank: use km²
- US Census Bureau: uses mi²
- CIA World Factbook: provides both mi² and km²
Common Uses and Applications: square meters vs square miles
Explore the typical applications for both Square Meter (metric) and Square Mile (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 miles
Across Industries
1. Government and Census
US Census Bureau:
- Reports all geographic areas in square miles
- Population density: people per mi²
- Urban area definitions based on mi² thresholds
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) measured in mi²
Land Management:
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): 247 million acres = 386,000 mi²
- US Forest Service: 193 million acres = 302,000 mi²
- National Park Service: 84 million acres = 131,000 mi²
2. Geography and Cartography
Map Making:
- US Geological Survey (USGS) maps use mi²
- Topographic maps scale in miles
- GIS software in US defaults to square miles
Geographic Information Systems (GIS):
- Area calculations reported in mi² for US audiences
- Spatial analysis uses mi² for US jurisdictions
3. Urban Planning and Development
City Planning:
- Zoning maps measured in mi²
- Service area calculations (fire, police, schools) in mi²
- Transit system coverage in mi²
Infrastructure:
- Road networks: lane-miles (length × lanes)
- Service territories: utilities measured in mi²
- Emergency response zones: mi² coverage areas
4. Real Estate (Large Tracts)
Rural Land Sales:
- Ranches: sometimes listed in mi² (though acres more common)
- Large timber tracts: mi²
- Mining claims: sections (1 mi² = 640 acres)
Commercial Development:
- Master-planned communities: hundreds to thousands of acres (multiple mi²)
- Industrial parks: often measured in mi²
5. Environmental Science and Conservation
Habitat Measurement:
- Wildlife refuges measured in mi²
- Conservation easements: large tracts in mi²
- Wetland restoration projects: mi²
Disaster Assessment:
- Wildfire extent: acres or mi²
- Flood zones: mi² inundated
- Hurricane damage: mi² affected
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 Mile (mi²)
How many acres are in one square mile?
Exactly 640 acres in one square mile. This is a fundamental relationship in the Imperial and US Customary systems.
Historical Origin:
- 1 acre = 1 furlong × 1 chain = 660 ft × 66 ft = 43,560 ft²
- 1 mile = 8 furlongs = 5,280 ft
- 1 mi² = (8 furlongs)² = 64 acres × 10 = 640 acres
Common Subdivisions:
- 1 mi² = 640 acres (full section)
- ½ mi² = 320 acres (half section)
- ¼ mi² = 160 acres (quarter section, homestead)
- ⅛ mi² = 80 acres
- 1/16 mi² = 40 acres
How many square kilometers are in one square mile?
One square mile equals approximately 2.59 square kilometers (2.58998811 km² exactly).
Conversion Formula: $$ 1 \text{ mi}^2 = 2.58998811 \text{ km}^2 $$
Quick Mental Math: Multiply mi² by 2.6
Examples:
- 100 mi² = 259 km²
- 1,000 mi² = 2,590 km²
- 10,000 mi² = 25,900 km²
What is a "section" of land in the US?
In the US Public Land Survey System (PLSS), a section is a unit of land area nominally equivalent to one square mile (640 acres).
Township Organization:
- 1 township = 36 sections arranged in a 6×6 grid
- Each section numbered 1-36 (specific pattern)
- Section 16 often reserved for schools (in original PLSS states)
Legal Land Descriptions:
- "SW¼ of Section 12, Township 3 North, Range 4 West" = 160 acres
- This system used in 30 US states
Actual vs Nominal:
- Sections are "nominally" 1 mi² due to survey errors and Earth's curvature
- Actual sections: typically 635-645 acres
- "Government lots" used to correct discrepancies
Is the square mile an SI unit?
No, the square mile is not part of the International System of Units (SI). It belongs to the British Imperial and US Customary systems.
SI/Metric Equivalents:
- Square kilometer (km²): SI standard for large areas
- Hectare (ha): Accepted for use with SI, especially agriculture
Global Usage:
- US: square miles standard
- UK: mixed (km² official, mi² common)
- Rest of world: almost exclusively km²
How do you visualize a square mile?
Walking Measure:
- 1 mile ≈ 20-minute walk at average pace
- Walking around a square mile: 4 miles = 80-minute walk
Grid Measure:
- Imagine 8 city blocks × 8 city blocks (if blocks are 660 ft)
- About 1,280 standard city blocks (if blocks are 200 ft × 200 ft)
Sports Fields:
- About 484 American football fields (with end zones)
- About 505 FIFA regulation soccer fields
- About 740 standard baseball diamonds
Urban Comparison:
- Downtown core of a medium city
- Major university campus
- Large shopping mall with parking lots
How big is Central Park in square miles?
Central Park (NYC): 1.317 mi² (3.41 km²) = 843 acres
Comparisons:
- 1.3× larger than a standard section
- About 6% of Manhattan's area
- Slightly larger than Monaco (0.78 mi²)
Other Famous Parks:
- Golden Gate Park (SF): 1.017 mi² (2.63 km²)
- Griffith Park (LA): 6.9 mi² (17.9 km²)
- Rock Creek Park (DC): 2.8 mi² (7.2 km²)
What is population density per square mile?
Population density is the number of people per unit area, commonly expressed as people per square mile in the US.
Formula: $$ \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Population}}{\text{Area (mi}^2\text{)}} $$
Example:
- San Francisco: 873,965 people ÷ 47 mi² = 18,595 people/mi²
Density Categories:
- Very high: >10,000 people/mi² (Manhattan: 74,000/mi²)
- High: 5,000-10,000 people/mi² (most urban cores)
- Moderate: 1,000-5,000 people/mi² (suburbs)
- Low: 100-1,000 people/mi² (rural-suburban)
- Very low: <100 people/mi² (rural)
How many square miles is Earth's surface?
Total Earth Surface: 196.9 million mi² (510.1 million km²)
Breakdown:
- Land area: 57.5 million mi² (148.9 million km²) — 29.2%
- Water area: 139.4 million mi² (361.1 million km²) — 70.8%
Continents (Land):
- Asia: 17.2 million mi² (44.6 million km²)
- Africa: 11.7 million mi² (30.4 million km²)
- North America: 9.5 million mi² (24.7 million km²)
- South America: 6.9 million mi² (17.8 million km²)
- Antarctica: 5.5 million mi² (14.2 million km²)
- Europe: 3.9 million mi² (10.2 million km²)
- Australia/Oceania: 3.3 million mi² (8.5 million km²)
Can square miles measure ocean areas?
Yes, square miles can measure ocean areas, though square kilometers are more common internationally.
Oceans by Area:
- Pacific Ocean: 63.8 million mi² (165.2 million km²) — largest
- Atlantic Ocean: 41.1 million mi² (106.5 million km²)
- Indian Ocean: 27.2 million mi² (70.6 million km²)
- Southern Ocean: 7.8 million mi² (20.3 million km²)
- Arctic Ocean: 5.4 million mi² (14.1 million km²) — smallest
Comparison:
- Pacific Ocean alone is larger than all land on Earth combined
What is the area of the continental United States?
Continental (Contiguous) United States: 3,119,885 mi² (8,080,464 km²)
This includes the "Lower 48" states (excludes Alaska and Hawaii).
Breakdown:
- Land area: 2,959,064 mi² (7,663,941 km²)
- Water area: 160,821 mi² (416,522 km²)
Total United States (All 50 states):
- Total area: 3,796,742 mi² (9,833,520 km²)
- Alaska adds 665,384 mi² (1,723,337 km²)
- Hawaii adds 10,931 mi² (28,311 km²)
Conversion Table: Square Meter to Square Mile
| Square Meter (m²) | Square Mile (mi²) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 |
| 1.5 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 250 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Square Meter to Square Mile?
To convert Square Meter to Square Mile, 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 Mile?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Square Meter and Square Mile. 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 Mile back to Square Meter?
Yes! You can easily convert Square Mile back to Square Meter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Square Mile 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 Mile?
Square Meter and Square Mile 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 Foot (ft²) • Square Meter to Square Foot
- Square Yard (yd²) • Square Meter to Square Yard
- 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