A unit is not a measurement convention
Square feet and square metres are standard units. Gross internal area, net lettable area, carpet area, plot area and built-up area are conventions that decide what was measured. Converting the unit does not make two different conventions comparable.
Keep the original beside the result
Record the source value and unit, then show the converted value with its factor. This prevents a copied number from losing the context needed to reverse or check the conversion.
Use square units
A foot is length; a square foot is area. A yard is length; a square yard is area. Do not use a linear conversion factor on an area. The area factor is the square of the length factor.
Legal and commercial checks remain local
A calculator cannot verify title, boundaries, measurement method or a listing claim. Use the relevant survey, plan, registry and professional process for the jurisdiction.
When comparing properties across countries, ask for the measurement standard or floor plan and note whether balconies, parking, common areas or wall thickness are included. Those choices can matter more than the rounding of the unit conversion.
Worked example: Dubai or US listing to metric
Inputs
- 1,000 sq ft property listing
- Target unit square metres
Working
- 1 sq ft = 0.09290304 sq m
- 1,000 × 0.09290304 = 92.90304 sq m
Sources for this guide
Area conversion factors
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Standard area relationships for the property translator.
Open official resourceThe International System of Units
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures
Primary international reference for SI units.
Open official resourceSI Units
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Official SI measurement guidance used to distinguish units.
Open official resourceProperty data and statistics
Urban Redevelopment Authority
Official property-data context; listings still require explicit unit checks.
Open official resource