Area Converter
Convert between square meters, square feet, acres and hectares.
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Value
Result
Square meters (m2):
Square feet (ft2):
Acres:
Hectares (ha):
About Area Converter
This area converter helps you switch between metric and imperial land and surface units such as square meters, square feet, acres and hectares. It is useful for property listings, agriculture, construction and renovation planning.
Area Conversion Formula
All conversions use square meters (m²) as the intermediate base unit:
- Step 1: Convert input to m² using the unit's conversion factor
- Step 2: Convert m² to each target unit by dividing
Conversion Factors (to square meters): 1 square foot (ft²) = 0.09290304 m² 1 acre = 4,046.8564224 m² 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m² 1 square meter (m²) = 1 m² Example: Convert 5 acres to hectares Step 1: acres → m² 5 × 4,046.8564224 = 20,234.282112 m² Step 2: m² → hectares 20,234.282112 ÷ 10,000 = 2.0234 hectares Result: 5 acres = 2.0234 hectares
Area Units Reference Table
| Unit | Symbol | Square Meters | Square Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square meter | m² | 1 | 10.764 |
| Square foot | ft² | 0.0929 | 1 |
| Acre | ac | 4,046.86 | 43,560 |
| Hectare | ha | 10,000 | 107,639 |
Common Area Comparisons
| Object/Area | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
| Parking space | 12-15 m² (130-160 ft²) |
| Basketball court | 420 m² (4,520 ft²) |
| Football field (American) | 5,351 m² (57,600 ft²) ≈ 1.32 acres |
| Soccer pitch | 7,140 m² (76,900 ft²) ≈ 1.76 acres |
| City block | 10,000-20,000 m² ≈ 1-2 hectares |
When to Use Each Unit
| Unit | Best For | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Square meters | Rooms, houses, small plots | Global (metric) |
| Square feet | Real estate, interior spaces | US, some UK contexts |
| Acres | Farms, large properties, land | US, UK, former colonies |
| Hectares | Agriculture, forests, large land | Global (metric) |
Common Use Cases
- Real Estate: Convert property sizes between m² and ft² for international listings
- Agriculture: Compare farm sizes in acres vs hectares for global markets
- Construction: Calculate material needs from area measurements
- Land Surveying: Verify deed measurements across different unit systems
- Renovation: Plan flooring, painting, or landscaping from area data
- International Business: Prepare reports using locally appropriate units
Historical Context
The acre originated as the area a yoke of oxen could plow in one day. The hectare was introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system (100 ares = 1 hectare). Square meters and square feet are direct squared length units, making them consistent across all scales.
How to Convert Area Units
- Enter value: Type the numeric value you want to convert.
- Select unit: Choose the unit of your input (m², ft², acres, or hectares).
- Click Convert: The tool instantly shows equivalent values in all units.
- Use results: Copy the converted values for your property, land, or construction needs.
Tips
- Results are shown with 4-6 decimal places for precision
- All units update simultaneously - no need to select target unit
- Use for any size - from small rooms to large farms
- Verify critical measurements with a professional surveyor
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does area conversion work?
- Area conversion multiplies the input value by a conversion factor to get square meters, then divides to get other units. For example, 1 square foot = 0.09290304 m². To convert acres to hectares: acres → m² → hectares using intermediate square meter value.
- What is the difference between acres and hectares?
- An acre is an imperial unit equal to 4,046.86 m² or 43,560 ft². A hectare is metric, equal to 10,000 m². One hectare equals approximately 2.471 acres. Hectares are used globally for land measurement; acres are common in the US, UK, and former British colonies.
- Why are there different area units?
- Different regions and industries developed their own units. Metric (m², hectares) is used scientifically and in most countries. Imperial (ft², acres) persists in the US and some property contexts. Nautical, survey, and historical units add more variations.
- How accurate are area conversions?
- Conversions use precise factors (e.g., 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m² exactly). Results are rounded for display (4-6 decimal places). For land transactions, use surveyor-verified measurements - small rounding differences can affect large properties.
- What are common area unit abbreviations?
- Common abbreviations: m² or sq m (square meters), ft² or sq ft (square feet), ac (acre), ha (hectare), km² (square kilometer), mi² (square mile). The superscript ² indicates 'squared' - area is length × width.
- When should I use acres vs hectares?
- Use acres for US/UK property listings, farm sizes, and land deeds in former British territories. Use hectares for international reports, scientific papers, EU documentation, and most non-English-speaking countries. One hectare = 2.471 acres.