Square Inches to Square Feet Converter
Convert between square inches (in²) and square feet (ft²) instantly with precise calculations
Area Conversion Calculator
Enter area in square inches
Enter area in square feet
Conversion Result
Conversion Formula
Square Inches to Square Feet
Square Feet = Square Inches ÷ 144
Example: 288 in² ÷ 144 = 2 ft²
Square Feet to Square Inches
Square Inches = Square Feet × 144
Example: 2 ft² × 144 = 288 in²
Common Area Conversions
Square Inches | Square Feet |
---|---|
1 in² | 0.0069 ft² |
12 in² | 0.0833 ft² |
144 in² | 1.0000 ft² |
288 in² | 2.0000 ft² |
432 in² | 3.0000 ft² |
720 in² | 5.0000 ft² |
1440 in² | 10.0000 ft² |
2880 in² | 20.0000 ft² |
4320 in² | 30.0000 ft² |
7200 in² | 50.0000 ft² |
Quick Reference
1 square foot = 144 square inches
1 square inch = 0.00694444 square feet
Both units measure area (2-dimensional space)
Commonly used in construction and real estate
Practical Applications
Flooring
Calculate tile coverage and material needs
Painting
Determine wall area for paint estimation
Real Estate
Convert property measurements
Crafts
Measure fabric and material areas
Understanding Square Inches and Square Feet
What is a Square Inch?
A square inch (in²) is a unit of area equal to a square with sides of one inch. It's part of the imperial measurement system and is commonly used for measuring small areas, such as screen sizes, fabric swatches, or craft materials.
What is a Square Foot?
A square foot (ft²) is a unit of area equal to a square with sides of one foot (12 inches). It's widely used in construction, real estate, and interior design for measuring room sizes, flooring, and property areas.
Conversion Relationship
1 ft² = 144 in²
Since 1 foot = 12 inches, then 1 ft² = 12 × 12 = 144 in²
Why 144?
When converting linear measurements to area, you must square the conversion factor. Since 1 foot = 12 inches, 1 square foot = 12² = 144 square inches. This is because area is two-dimensional (length × width).
Practical Conversion Examples
📱 Screen Size
Problem: A tablet screen measures 48 square inches. How many square feet is that?
Solution: 48 in² ÷ 144 = 0.3333 ft²
The screen area is approximately one-third of a square foot.
🏠 Flooring Tile
Problem: A floor tile is 1 square foot. How many square inches is that?
Solution: 1 ft² × 144 = 144 in²
Each tile covers 144 square inches of floor space.
🖼️ Picture Frame
Problem: A picture frame measures 0.5 square feet. What's that in square inches?
Solution: 0.5 ft² × 144 = 72 in²
The frame has an area of 72 square inches.
✂️ Fabric Cutting
Problem: You need 288 square inches of fabric. How many square feet do you need?
Solution: 288 in² ÷ 144 = 2 ft²
Purchase at least 2 square feet of fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square inches are in a square foot?
There are exactly 144 square inches in one square foot. This comes from the fact that 1 foot = 12 inches, so 1 ft² = 12 inches × 12 inches = 144 in².
Why do I multiply by 144 when converting feet to inches?
When converting area measurements (square units), you must square the linear conversion factor. Since 1 foot = 12 inches, the area conversion is 12² = 144. This accounts for both dimensions (length and width).
When should I use square inches vs square feet?
Use square inches for small areas like screens, photos, or craft materials. Use square feet for larger areas like rooms, flooring, or property measurements. Square feet are more practical for construction and real estate, while square inches are better for detailed work.
How do I calculate the area in square inches?
To find area in square inches, multiply the length in inches by the width in inches. For example, a rectangle that is 6 inches long and 4 inches wide has an area of 6 × 4 = 24 square inches.