We explain what a square meter is and how it is calculated. Also, what are the equivalent measurements in other units.
What is a square meter?
The square meter is the basic unit of measurement of surfaces in the International System of Measurement Units (SI). It is represented by the symbol m2 and is defined as the area inside a square whose sides measure exactly one meter.
In general, the square meter is a unit equivalent to the meter, but used to measure entire areas of flat spaces instead of simple distances. For this reason, its use is very common in architecture, engineering and geography.
In fact, as with the meter, it is possible to obtain a whole series of multiples or submultiples whose names are formed by prefixing the square meter with different prefixes from the International System: saysquare meters (102 square meters), centisquare meters (10-4 square meters), kilosquare meters (106 square meters), among others.
Calculating the square meters of a space or even an object is useful when determining if an object fits in a given space, or how much material we will need to cover or fill a space. Hence, this unit is used to express the size of properties, that is, houses, land and apartments, since it indicates how much available surface area they have.
See also: Magnitude
How to calculate square meters?
To calculate the square meters of a surface we must measure and multiply the length and width of the space, and if necessary, translate the measurement into square meters.
To do this, you can follow the following steps:
- Measure surface dimensions. Using a tape measure or some other instrument, measure the length and width of the surface and express it in its corresponding length unit: meters, kilometers or centimeters are the most common. For example, the surface of a room may be 3 meters long by 2 meters wide.
- Apply the calculation formula. This formula is M2 = width x length that is, the room in the example consists of 3 x 2 square meters, that is, 6 m2 of total area. This means that six imaginary one-meter squares would fit on its surface, if they were arranged side by side until they filled the space.
Equivalent measurements in other units
One square meter (1 m2) is equivalent to:
- 1,000 square millimeters (mm2), i.e. 0.001 m2 make 1 mm2.
- 100 square centimeters (cm2), i.e. 0.01 m2 they make 1 cm2.
- 0.001 square kilometers (km2), i.e. 1000 m2 they do 1 km2.
- 0.0001 hectares (ha), that is, 10,000 m2 they make 1 ha.
Equivalences with the Anglo-Saxon system of measurements:
- 10.7639 square feet (ft2).
- 1.19599 square yards (yd2).
- 1550.003 square inches (in2).
Continue with: Perimeter
References
- “Square meter” in Wikipedia.
- “Calculate m2 (square meters)” in Refornovalia (Spain).
- “Square Meter” in Math is Fun.
