Square Mile to Square Meter Converter

A square mile (mi²) is a unit of area equal to the area of a square with sides of one mile each. It equals 640 acres or approximately 2.59 square kilometers, making it suitable for measuring large geographical areas.

The square mile developed from the English mile, which was standardized in 1593. As territorial expansion and land surveying became important in English-speaking countries, particularly in North America, the square mile became a standard unit for measuring large land areas and territories.

Square miles are primarily used in the United States and United Kingdom for measuring counties, states, large properties, and geographical features. They're standard in American atlases, real estate for large properties, and government land management. Many US states report their area in square miles.

A square meter (m²) is the SI base unit of area, equal to the area of a square with sides of one meter each. It serves as the fundamental unit from which all other metric area measurements are derived.

The square meter was established alongside the meter during the French Revolution in 1795 as part of the metric system. As the meter became the base unit of length, its square naturally became the base unit of area. It was officially adopted as part of the International System of Units (SI) in 1960.

Square meters are universally used for measuring floor areas, room sizes, small properties, construction materials, and in scientific applications. They're standard in architecture, construction, real estate listings, and manufacturing. Most building codes and construction specifications use square meters.