One of the most common area conversions that people need to perform is between square meters and square feet. Square meters are the standard unit of area in the metric system, while square feet are used in the imperial system. Since the two units are not directly compatible, a conversion factor is required to switch between them. This article will explain how to convert square meters to square feet in a few easy steps, providing tips and tricks to make the conversion easier and faster.
Understanding the Conversion Factor
The conversion factor between square meters and square feet is 10.7639. This means that one square meter is equal to 10.7639 square feet. This number can be used to multiply or divide any area in square meters or square feet to get the equivalent area in the other unit.
Conversion Formula
To convert square meters to square feet, you need to multiply the area in square meters by 10.7639.
Square Feet=Square Meters×10.7639\text{Square Feet} = \text{Square Meters} \times 10.7639Square Feet=Square Meters×10.7639
For example, if you have an area of 15 square meters, you can multiply it by 10.7639 to get 161.459 square feet.
Conversely, to convert square feet to square meters, you need to divide the area in square feet by 10.7639.
Square Meters=Square Feet÷10.7639\text{Square Meters} = \text{Square Feet} \div 10.7639Square Meters=Square Feet÷10.7639
For example, if you have an area of 200 square feet, you can divide it by 10.7639 to get approximately 18.580 square meters.
Converting Other Units to Square Meters or Square Feet
Sometimes, you may need to convert an area given in other units, such as centimeters, inches, yards, or miles. In such cases, you need to first convert the area to square meters or square feet, and then use the conversion factor of 10.7639 to switch between them.
For example, if you have an area of 100 square centimeters, you need to divide it by 10,000 to get 0.01 square meters. Then, multiply by 10.7639 to get 0.107639 square feet.
Tips and Tricks for Quick Conversion
A useful trick to remember the conversion factor of 10.7639 is to think of it as 11 minus 0.2361. This way, you can approximate the conversion by rounding the factor up or down to 11 or 10, depending on the accuracy you need.
For example, to convert 20 square meters to square feet, you can multiply it by 11 to get 220 square feet, which is close enough for most purposes. To convert 50 square feet to square meters, you can divide it by 10 to get 5 square meters, which is also close enough for most purposes. However, for more precise needs, always use the exact factor of 10.7639.
