DIY Cost Tools
Area Converter
Conversion Calculator
Area Converter
Convert square inches, square feet, square yards, acres, square millimeters, square centimeters, square meters, and hectares. One entry produces every common area equivalent.
Convert area
How to convert area
Choose the unit attached to your known area and enter the number. The calculator converts that amount to square meters, then converts the square-meter total into each destination unit. This approach is useful for flooring, paint coverage, lots, gardens, roofs, and plans that mix metric and U.S. customary units.
Common area conversion formulas
- 1 square foot = 144 square inches = 0.09290304 square meter
- 1 square yard = 9 square feet = 0.83612736 square meter
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet = 4,046.8564224 square meters
- 1 square meter = 10,000 square centimeters = 1,000,000 square millimeters
- 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters = approximately 2.471054 acres
Worked example: 1,000 square feet
Multiply 1,000 square feet by 0.09290304 to get 92.90304 square meters. The same space is 144,000 square inches, 111.111111 square yards, about 0.022957 acre, or about 0.00929 hectare.
Area is not the same as length
Area measures a two-dimensional surface, so conversion factors must be squared. One foot equals 12 inches, but one square foot equals 12 x 12, or 144 square inches. Applying a plain length factor to an area is a common source of errors.
Accuracy and estimating
These mathematical conversions do not add waste. When buying flooring, tile, roofing, sod, or paint, calculate the true project area first and then apply the waste or coverage allowance appropriate to the product and layout. Round purchase quantities up to complete packages.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in an acre?
One acre contains exactly 43,560 square feet. A half-acre contains 21,780 square feet.
How do I convert square feet to square meters?
Multiply square feet by 0.09290304. For example, 500 square feet equals 46.45152 square meters.
Can I use this for material ordering?
Use the converted area as a starting point, then account for cuts, pattern matching, defects, spares, and package sizes. The correct waste percentage depends on the material and installation plan.
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Sources and review
Metric definitions and conversion relationships follow the SI information published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Calculator logic and examples were reviewed by the DIY Cost Tools editorial team on September 22, 2026.