Square Meters to Square Feet Converter
Convert between square meters and square feet with precise calculations
Area Converter
Metric unit (SI standard)
Imperial unit (US/UK standard)
Conversion Formula
1 square meter = 10.7639 square feet
Square Feet = Square Meters × 10.7639
Based on: 1 foot = 0.3048 meters, therefore 1 m² = (1 ÷ 0.3048)² ft²
Conversion Results
Quick Conversion Tables
Square Meters to Square Feet
m² | ft² |
---|---|
1 | 10.76 |
5 | 53.82 |
10 | 107.64 |
25 | 269.10 |
50 | 538.20 |
100 | 1,076.39 |
Square Feet to Square Meters
ft² | m² |
---|---|
1 | 0.0929 |
10 | 0.9290 |
50 | 4.6452 |
100 | 9.2903 |
500 | 46.4515 |
1,000 | 92.9030 |
Real-World Area Examples
🏠 Studio Apartment
Typical size: 400 ft²
≈ 37.16 m²
🏢 Standard Bedroom
Average size: 12 m²
≈ 129.17 ft²
🏟️ Tennis Court
Singles court: 195.65 m²
≈ 2,106 ft²
🏡 Average House
US average: 2,000 ft²
≈ 185.81 m²
Quick Facts
Conversion Factor
1 m² = 10.7639 ft² (exactly)
Global Usage
Most countries use m², US/UK use ft²
Precision
Real estate typically rounds to 2 decimal places
Conversion Tips
Remember: 1 m² ≈ 10.76 ft² (easy approximation)
A 1m × 1m square is about 3.28ft × 3.28ft
Real estate listings vary by country
Always verify official measurements for legal documents
Understanding Square Meters and Square Feet
What is a Square Meter?
A square meter (m²) is the SI (International System of Units) derived unit of area. It represents the area of a square with sides of one meter in length. Square meters are the standard unit of area measurement in most countries worldwide and are commonly used in real estate, construction, and land surveying.
When to Use Square Meters:
- •International real estate listings
- •Scientific and engineering calculations
- •European and Asian property measurements
- •Construction and architectural plans globally
What is a Square Foot?
A square foot (ft²) is an imperial unit of area representing the area of a square with sides measuring one foot (12 inches) in length. Square feet are primarily used in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and a few other countries for measuring floor plans, property sizes, and construction materials.
Common Uses of Square Feet:
- •US and UK real estate markets
- •Home floor plans and room sizes
- •Commercial property leasing
- •Carpet, flooring, and paint coverage
The Mathematics Behind the Conversion
Deriving the Conversion Factor
The conversion between square meters and square feet is derived from the linear conversion between meters and feet:
1 foot = 0.3048 meters (defined in 1959)
Therefore: 1 meter = 1 ÷ 0.3048 = 3.28084 feet
For area (squared units):
1 m² = (3.28084)² ft²
1 m² = 10.7639 ft²
Step-by-Step Conversion Examples
Example 1: Convert 25 m² to ft²
25 m² × 10.7639 = 269.0975 ft²
≈ 269.10 ft² (rounded to 2 decimal places)
Example 2: Convert 1,500 ft² to m²
1,500 ft² × 0.092903 = 139.3545 m²
or 1,500 ft² ÷ 10.7639 = 139.3545 m²
≈ 139.35 m² (rounded to 2 decimal places)
Quick Mental Math Tricks
- M² to Ft²: Multiply by 11 for a quick approximation (actual: 10.76)
- Ft² to M²: Divide by 10 for a rough estimate (actual: 10.76)
- Remember: 100 m² ≈ 1,076 ft² (close to 1,000 ft²)
- For precision: Always use the exact conversion factor
Practical Applications
🏠 Real Estate
Converting between m² and ft² is essential when:
- Comparing international property listings
- Relocating between countries with different systems
- Understanding property sizes in foreign markets
- Calculating price per unit area across markets
- Reading architectural plans from different regions
🏗️ Construction & Renovation
Accurate conversions help with:
- Ordering the correct amount of materials
- Calculating paint, flooring, or carpet needs
- Estimating labor costs and project timelines
- Working with international suppliers
- Interpreting building codes and regulations
💼 Commercial Spaces
Businesses need conversions for:
- Office space planning and leasing
- Retail store layout optimization
- Warehouse and storage capacity planning
- Comparing commercial property values
- International business expansion decisions
🌍 International Trade
Essential for global commerce:
- Shipping container space calculations
- International product specifications
- Cross-border real estate investments
- Global supply chain management
- Standardizing international documentation
Global Usage of Area Units
Countries Using Square Meters (m²)
The majority of countries worldwide use the metric system:
Europe: All European Union countries, Switzerland, Norway
Asia: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand
Americas: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, most South American countries
Africa: All African nations
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific island nations
Countries Using Square Feet (ft²)
Primarily imperial system countries:
Primary Users: United States
Mixed Usage: United Kingdom (transitioning to metric), Canada (uses both)
Note: Even in these countries, scientific and technical fields typically use metric units
💡 Many countries that officially use metric still reference square feet in certain contexts, especially in real estate marketing to international buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert square meters to square feet?
To convert square meters to square feet, multiply the area value by 10.7639. For example, 50 m² × 10.7639 = 538.195 ft². This conversion factor is exact and derived from the international foot definition of 0.3048 meters established in 1959.
Is 1 square meter bigger than 1 square foot?
Yes, a square meter is significantly larger than a square foot. One square meter equals approximately 10.76 square feet, meaning a square meter is about 10.76 times the size of a square foot. To visualize: a 1m × 1m square is roughly equivalent to a 3.28ft × 3.28ft square.
Why is the conversion factor 10.7639 and not a round number?
The conversion factor comes from squaring the linear conversion between meters and feet:
- 1 foot = 0.3048 meters (exact definition)
- 1 meter = 3.28084 feet
- 1 m² = (3.28084)² = 10.7639 ft²
The non-round number reflects the historical development of these measurement systems independently.
What's a typical apartment size in both units?
Apartment sizes vary by location and type:
- Studio: 25-35 m² (270-375 ft²)
- One-bedroom: 45-65 m² (480-700 ft²)
- Two-bedroom: 70-90 m² (750-970 ft²)
- Three-bedroom: 90-120 m² (970-1,290 ft²)
These are general ranges; actual sizes vary significantly by country and city.
Should I use square meters or square feet for my project?
The choice depends on your location and context. Use square meters if you're in a metric-using country, working on international projects, or in scientific/technical fields. Use square feet if you're in the United States or working with US-based contractors and suppliers. When in doubt, provide both measurements to avoid confusion, especially for international audiences.