How to Convert Units of Area
Conversions are performed by using a conversion factor. By knowing the conversion factor, converting between units can become a simple multiplication problem:
S * C = E
Where S is our starting value, C is our conversion factor, and E is our end converted result.
To simply convert from any unit into m2, for example, from 50 ft2, just multiply by the value in the right column in the table below.
50 ft2 * 0.09290304 [m2 / ft2] = 4.645152 m2
To convert from m2 back into units in the left column divide by the value in the right column or, multiply by the reciprocal, 1/x.
4.645152 m2 / 0.09290304 [m2 / ft2] = 50 ft2
To convert among any units in the left column, say from A to B, you can multiply by the factor for A to convert A into m2 then divide by the factor for B to convert out of m2. Or, you can find the single factor you need by dividing the A factor by the B factor.
For example, to convert from ft2 to mm2 you would multiply by 0.09290304 then divide by 0.000001. Or, multiply by 0.09290304/0.000001 = 92903.04. So, to convert directly from ft2 to mm2 you multiply by 92903.04.
To understand how to also convert the units follow this example. Say you want to convert from ft2 to m2. Since you can multiply anything by 1 and still retain the original value, but in different units, set it up so that ft will cancel out leaving you with m.
Since:
1 m = 3.28084 ft, 1 m / 3.28084 ft = 1
We can write the conversion as:
1 ft2 = 1 ft2 * (1 m / 3.28084 ft) * (1 m / 3.28084 ft) = 0.0929030 m2
And we now have our factor for conversion from ft2 to m2 since 1 * 0.0929030 = 0.0929030. Note that there are rounding errors in this value. The value in the table, 0.09290304, is more accurate.
Knowing that 1 ft2 = 0.09290304 m2 we can now find the conversion factor for converting back. Dividing both sides of the equation by 0.09290304 we get about 10.7639104 ft2 = 1 m2. So, the conversion factor to multiply by to convert from m2 to ft2 is about 10.7639104.
If you want to calculate an area of square feet for a room or area for flooring, landscaping, carpets or tiling then see the volume calculator.
