PhysicsCalcs
Units & Conversions

Area Converter

Convert square meters, square feet, acres, hectares, square inches, barns, and circular mils.

Interactive converter

Area Converter

Convert square meters, square feet, acres, hectares, square inches, barns, circular mils, and more.

Area is normally non-negative. Remember: 1 m² = 10,000 cm² (not 100).

From
To

Result

Enter a value and click Convert to see the conversion.

Quick Guide

  • Area units are length squared — 1 m² ≠ 100 cm².
  • Use presets for ft²↔m², ac↔ha, and circular mil↔mm².
  • Check US survey units for legacy land records.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Area scales as length squared: 1 m² = 10,000 cm² (not 100).
  • 1 hectare = 10,000 m²; 1 acre ≈ 4,046.86 m².
  • 1 barn (b) = 10⁻²⁸ m² — used in nuclear cross sections.
  • Circular mil measures wire cross-section area in electrical work.
  • US survey acre differs slightly from the international acre.

What Is Area?

Area measures two-dimensional extent. The SI unit is the square meter (m²). This converter covers metric, imperial, US survey, scientific (barn), and typography area units.

For one-dimensional distance, see the Length Converter. For three-dimensional capacity, see the Volume Converter.

Area Conversion Formula

areaB=areaA×(factorA/factorB)area_B = area_A × (factor_A / factor_B)

All units convert through square meters. Because area is length squared, factors are squared relative to linear units: 1 m = 100 cm, but 1 m² = 10,000 cm².

Squared Conversions

When converting area, square the length conversion factor. If 1 m = 100 cm, then 1 m² = 10,000 cm² — not 100 cm². This is a common source of errors.

Land Area Units

Acres and hectares measure land area. 1 hectare = 10,000 m². 1 international acre = 4,046.8564224 m². Sections (1 mi²) and townships (36 mi²) are used in US land surveying.

Reference Areas

ContextAreaSquare meters
A4 paper≈ 0.062 m²0.062 m²
Tennis court≈ 260 m²260 m²
Football field≈ 5,350 m²5,350 m²
City block≈ 1 ha10,000 m²

Examples

1 m² to cm²

1 m² = 10,000 cm².

1 ac to m²

1 ac = 4,046.8564224 m².

1 ha to m²

1 ha = 10,000 m².

1 barn to m²

1 b = 10⁻²⁸ m².

Common Mistakes

Using linear conversion factors for area (forgetting to square). Confusing circular mil with square mil. Mixing international and US survey acres.

Limitations

Regional land units (bigha, kanal, marla) omitted until verified. Area-from-dimensions calculator is planned separately.

FAQ

How many cm² in a m²?›

1 m² = 10,000 cm² exactly.

How many m² in an acre?›

1 ac = 4,046.8564224 m² (international acre).

How many m² in a hectare?›

1 ha = 10,000 m² exactly.

What is a barn?›

1 b = 10⁻²⁸ m² — a unit for nuclear reaction cross sections.

What is a circular mil?›

The area of a circle 1 mil (0.001 inch) in diameter. Used for wire gauge sizing.

Acre vs hectare?›

1 ha ≈ 2.471 acres. Hectares are metric; acres are imperial/US land units.

How do I convert ft to ft²?›

You cannot directly — area requires two length dimensions. Squaring 1 ft gives 1 ft².

US survey acre?›

Based on the US survey foot; slightly different from the international acre.

Sources

  1. NIST SP 811
  2. BIPM: SI Brochure
Manish Kumar

Author & technical reviewer

Manish Kumar

PhysicsCalcs tools are reviewed with an educational focus: clear formulas, transparent assumptions, and practical context for students and science learners.

Learn more about Manish