Square Metres to Square Feet Guide: m² to ft² Conversion
Understanding area conversions is essential for property searches, flooring projects, and real estate. UK estate agents use both square metres and square feet, so knowing how to convert between them is invaluable.
Convert Area Measurements
Use our free Square Feet to Square Metres Converter for instant results.
Try Our Free Square Metres to Square Feet Converter
Get instant results with our Square Metres to Square Feet Converter. Also check our Square Footage Calculator and Metres to Feet Converter.
The Conversion Formulas
Square Feet to Square Metres: m² = ft² ÷ 10.764
1 m² = 10.764 sq ft
1 sq ft = 0.0929 m²
Quick Reference: m² to ft² Chart
| Square Metres | Square Feet | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 5 m² | 54 sq ft | Small bathroom |
| 10 m² | 108 sq ft | Single bedroom |
| 15 m² | 161 sq ft | Double bedroom |
| 20 m² | 215 sq ft | Master bedroom |
| 25 m² | 269 sq ft | Living room |
| 30 m² | 323 sq ft | Large room |
| 40 m² | 431 sq ft | Studio flat |
| 50 m² | 538 sq ft | 1-bed flat |
| 75 m² | 807 sq ft | 2-bed flat |
| 100 m² | 1,076 sq ft | 3-bed house |
Property Sizes in the UK
Here's how common property sizes compare in both units:
| Property Type | Square Metres | Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Studio flat | 25-45 m² | 270-485 sq ft |
| 1-bedroom flat | 45-55 m² | 485-590 sq ft |
| 2-bedroom flat | 55-75 m² | 590-810 sq ft |
| 2-bedroom house | 70-90 m² | 755-970 sq ft |
| 3-bedroom house | 85-120 m² | 915-1,290 sq ft |
| 4-bedroom house | 110-160 m² | 1,185-1,720 sq ft |
| 5-bedroom house | 140-200 m² | 1,505-2,150 sq ft |
Room Size Standards
The UK has minimum space standards for new builds. Here are typical room sizes:
| Room | Minimum m² | Comfortable m² | In sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 7.5 m² | 10 m² | 80-108 sq ft |
| Double bedroom | 11.5 m² | 14 m² | 124-150 sq ft |
| Living room (2-bed) | 21 m² | 25 m² | 226-269 sq ft |
| Kitchen | 6 m² | 10 m² | 65-108 sq ft |
| Bathroom | 2.5 m² | 5 m² | 27-54 sq ft |
| En-suite | 2 m² | 3.5 m² | 22-38 sq ft |
Flooring Calculations
When buying flooring, you'll need to calculate area and often add 10% for waste:
Example: Flooring a 4m × 5m Room
- Calculate area: 4 × 5 = 20 m²
- Add 10% for waste: 20 × 1.10 = 22 m²
- In square feet: 22 × 10.764 = 237 sq ft
Order 22 m² or 237 sq ft of flooring
Flooring Coverage per Pack
| Pack Size | In m² | In sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Small pack | 1.5-2 m² | 16-22 sq ft |
| Standard pack | 2.5-3 m² | 27-32 sq ft |
| Large pack | 3.5-4 m² | 38-43 sq ft |
Square Feet to Square Metres
| Square Feet | Square Metres |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 9.3 m² |
| 200 sq ft | 18.6 m² |
| 300 sq ft | 27.9 m² |
| 400 sq ft | 37.2 m² |
| 500 sq ft | 46.5 m² |
| 750 sq ft | 69.7 m² |
| 1,000 sq ft | 92.9 m² |
| 1,250 sq ft | 116.1 m² |
| 1,500 sq ft | 139.4 m² |
| 2,000 sq ft | 185.8 m² |
Quick Mental Conversion
Approximations for Quick Estimates
- m² to sq ft: Multiply by 10, then add 8% (or just multiply by 11)
- sq ft to m²: Divide by 10, then subtract 8% (or just divide by 11)
Examples:
- 50 m² × 11 = 550 sq ft (actual: 538)
- 1,000 sq ft ÷ 11 = 91 m² (actual: 93)
Garden and Outdoor Areas
| Garden Size | Square Metres | Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio | 10-20 m² | 108-215 sq ft |
| Terrace garden | 20-50 m² | 215-538 sq ft |
| Average back garden | 50-100 m² | 538-1,076 sq ft |
| Large garden | 100-200 m² | 1,076-2,153 sq ft |
| Country garden | 200-500 m² | 2,153-5,382 sq ft |
| Acre | 4,047 m² | 43,560 sq ft |
Other Area Units
| Unit | Square Metres | Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| 1 square yard | 0.836 m² | 9 sq ft |
| 1 square metre | 1 m² | 10.76 sq ft |
| 1 are | 100 m² | 1,076 sq ft |
| 1 hectare | 10,000 m² | 107,639 sq ft |
| 1 acre | 4,047 m² | 43,560 sq ft |
Price per Square Metre/Foot
Estate agents often quote price per square foot or metre. Here's how to compare:
Example: Compare Two Properties
Property A: £500,000 for 150 m²
- £500,000 ÷ 150 = £3,333/m²
- 150 m² = 1,615 sq ft
- £500,000 ÷ 1,615 = £310/sq ft
Property B: £450,000 for 1,200 sq ft
- £450,000 ÷ 1,200 = £375/sq ft
- 1,200 sq ft = 111 m²
- £450,000 ÷ 111 = £4,054/m²
Property A offers better value per square foot/metre
UK Property Size Trends
Average new-build home sizes in the UK:
| Year | Average Size m² | In sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 100+ m² | 1,076+ sq ft |
| 1970s | 92 m² | 990 sq ft |
| 1990s | 85 m² | 915 sq ft |
| 2010s | 76 m² | 818 sq ft |
| 2020s | 79 m² | 850 sq ft |
The UK has some of the smallest new-build homes in Europe, averaging 76-79 m² compared to Denmark's 137 m².
Estate Agent Measurements
UK estate agents typically measure:
- Gross Internal Area (GIA): Total floor area including walls
- Net Internal Area (NIA): Usable floor space
- EPC floor area: For energy performance certificates
Always check which measurement is being used when comparing properties.
Need Area Conversions?
Use our Square Feet to Square Metres Converter for instant calculations!
Conclusion
Key conversion facts:
- 1 m² = 10.76 sq ft
- 1 sq ft = 0.093 m²
- Quick estimate: Multiply m² by 11 for sq ft
- 100 sq ft ≈ 9.3 m²
- 1,000 sq ft ≈ 93 m²
Whether you're house hunting, laying flooring, or comparing properties, these conversions will help you work confidently with both measurement systems.
Understanding the Conversion Factor: Why 10.764?
The conversion factor of 10.764 between square metres and square feet comes from the linear relationship between metres and feet. One metre equals 3.28084 feet. When you square that figure (3.28084 x 3.28084), you get 10.764, which is the number of square feet in a single square metre. This mathematical relationship is fixed and precise, making it reliable for all area conversion calculations regardless of the shape being measured.
It is worth noting that when converting area measurements, you cannot simply multiply or divide by the linear conversion factor. A common mistake is to assume that because 1 metre equals roughly 3.28 feet, 1 square metre equals roughly 3.28 square feet. In reality, because you are dealing with two dimensions (length and width), the factor must be squared, giving the much larger figure of 10.764.
UK Property Market Context: Square Metres vs Square Feet
The UK property market sits at an interesting crossroads between the metric and imperial systems. Under the Property Misdescriptions Act and subsequent Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, estate agents are required to provide accurate measurements, but there is no legal requirement to use one system over the other. In practice, most estate agents in England and Wales list properties using square feet, while Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and new-build specifications almost always use square metres.
Scotland has its own conventions, with many property listings using square metres as standard, partly due to the influence of European measurement practices and the Scottish legal system's own property frameworks. When browsing property portals such as Rightmove or Zoopla, you will encounter both units, so the ability to convert between them is genuinely practical.
New-build homes in the UK are designed and built using metric measurements. Architects, structural engineers, and building control inspectors all work in metres and square metres. The Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS), introduced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sets minimum floor areas for new dwellings entirely in square metres. For example, a one-bedroom, one-person flat must be at least 39 square metres (420 square feet), while a three-bedroom, five-person house spread over two storeys must be at least 93 square metres (1,001 square feet).
Common Room Sizes in Both Units
When planning a home renovation or assessing whether furniture will fit, it helps to know typical room dimensions in both measurement systems. Below is a practical guide to what you can expect in average UK homes:
- Single garage: approximately 15 square metres (162 square feet), typically 3m x 5m
- Double garage: approximately 30 square metres (323 square feet), typically 6m x 5m
- Home office: a comfortable home office needs at least 7 square metres (75 square feet) to accommodate a desk, chair, and storage
- Utility room: typically 4 to 6 square metres (43 to 65 square feet) in modern homes
- Open-plan kitchen-diner: in many new-builds, these range from 20 to 35 square metres (215 to 377 square feet)
- Hallway and landing: these often account for 8 to 12 per cent of a home's total floor area
Understanding these sizes can help you judge whether a property listing offers genuinely spacious rooms or whether the total square footage has been padded by including circulation areas like hallways and landings.
Practical Tips for Measuring Your Own Space
If you need to measure a room yourself, use a laser distance measurer for accuracy. Measure the length and width of the room at floor level, and multiply them together to get the area in square metres. For L-shaped rooms, divide the space into two rectangles, calculate each area separately, and add them together. Remember that alcoves, bay windows, and built-in wardrobes may or may not be included depending on how the measurement is taken, so always clarify which standard is being used when comparing properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do UK estate agents use square feet when the UK is officially metric?
Although the UK adopted the metric system for most official purposes, property sales have traditionally used imperial measurements. Many buyers are more familiar with square feet from decades of property listings, and estate agents have continued the practice because it is what the market expects. However, EPCs, planning documents, and building regulations all use square metres, so both systems remain in active use across the UK property sector.
How do I calculate the cost per square metre or square foot of a property?
Divide the property's asking price by its total floor area. For example, if a house is listed at 350,000 pounds and measures 100 square metres, the cost is 3,500 pounds per square metre (or approximately 325 pounds per square foot). This metric allows you to make fair comparisons between properties of different sizes and in different locations, giving you a clearer picture of relative value.
What is the minimum floor area for a new-build home in the UK?
The Nationally Described Space Standard sets minimum internal floor areas for new dwellings in England. A one-bedroom flat for one person must be at least 37 square metres (398 square feet) as a single-storey dwelling. For houses, the minimums increase with the number of bedrooms and occupants. Not all local authorities have adopted these standards in their planning policies, so requirements may vary by council area. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own separate space standard guidelines.
Emma Thompson
Senior Content Editor
Emma is a senior content editor with a background in financial journalism. She specialises in making UK regulations and calculator tools understandable for consumers, working closely with qualified professionals to ensure accuracy.