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You found your dream apartment online. The listing says 93 square meters. Is that big or small? For Americans, that number means nothing without context. For Europeans, seeing a 1,000 square foot condo is equally puzzling. Real estate is one of the most important purchases you will ever make, yet the global property market speaks two different languages when it comes to size. A 100 sqm apartment in Paris and a 1,076 sqft condo in New York are exactly the same size, but most people could not tell you that instantly. This guide will make you fluent in both.
1The Basic Conversion You Need to Know
The relationship between square meters and square feet is straightforward once you memorize one number: 10.764. One square meter equals 10.764 square feet. For quick mental math, remember that 1 sqm is roughly 10.8 sqft, or just think 'about 11 square feet.' Going the other way, 1 square foot is 0.0929 square meters, which is easier to remember as 'about one-tenth of a square meter.'
Quick Mental Math Tricks
To convert sqm to sqft quickly: multiply by 10 and add 8%. For example, 50 sqm becomes 500 + 40 = 540 sqft (actual: 538 sqft - close enough for apartment hunting). To convert sqft to sqm: just divide by 10. A 1,200 sqft apartment is roughly 120 sqm (actual: 111 sqm). This is less precise but gets you in the ballpark.
Common Size Comparisons
A typical American parking space is about 18 sqm (about 194 sqft). A standard hotel room is 25-35 sqm (269-377 sqft). A tennis court is 260 sqm (2,808 sqft). An Olympic swimming pool is 1,250 sqm (13,455 sqft). These reference points help you visualize property sizes in any unit.
2How Different Countries Measure Real Estate
The world is roughly split between square meter and square foot countries, but there are fascinating exceptions and nuances that catch even experienced property hunters off guard.
Square Meter Countries
Most of the world uses square meters: all of Europe, Asia (including China, Japan, South Korea), South America, Australia, and the Middle East. However, Hong Kong is a notable exception in Asia, using square feet due to British colonial influence. Similarly, real estate in India often uses square feet in major cities despite the country officially being metric.
Square Foot Countries
The United States uses square feet exclusively. Canada officially uses metric but real estate listings often show both measurements. The UK is mixed: property listings typically show square feet, but new-build specifications often use square meters. Ireland follows a similar pattern. When searching for property in these countries, always confirm which unit is being used.
Local Variations
Japan has a traditional unit called the 'tsubo' (equal to 3.3 sqm or 35.6 sqft) still used in real estate. Taiwan uses the 'ping' which is exactly the same as a tsubo. In some parts of Germany, you might see 'wohnflache' (living space) vs 'nutzflache' (usable space), which can differ significantly. Always ask what is included in the measurement.
3What Is Actually Measured in Property Size?
Here is something that surprises many international property buyers: the same apartment can have three different sizes depending on what is measured. Understanding these differences can save you from expensive mistakes.
Gross vs Net Area
Gross area includes everything within the outer walls: hallways, columns, even elevator shafts in your share. Net area is your actual usable space. In Hong Kong, gross area can be 30-40% larger than net area. An apartment listed as 1,000 sqft gross might only have 650 sqft of livable space. In Germany, the 'wohnflache' only counts rooms with ceiling height above 2 meters.
Balconies and Terraces
Some countries count balconies at full value, others at 50%, and some exclude them entirely. In Spain, terraces are often counted at 50%. In the US, outdoor space is usually listed separately. When comparing prices per square meter or foot, check whether outdoor space is included.
Common Areas
In some Asian markets, common area allocation can inflate your stated apartment size significantly. A 'strata title' property in Singapore includes a share of common areas like lobbies and gyms in your total. This is not the case in most European countries where your stated size is your actual private space.
4Price Per Square Meter Comparisons
Understanding property sizes in both measurements becomes practical when comparing real estate prices globally. Here is how some major cities stack up based on recent average prices per square meter of prime residential property:
Most Expensive Cities
Monaco leads at approximately $60,000 per sqm ($5,574 per sqft). Hong Kong averages $28,000 per sqm ($2,601 per sqft). New York City ranges from $15,000-25,000 per sqm ($1,394-2,323 per sqft) depending on neighborhood. London prime property runs $17,000-22,000 per sqm ($1,579-2,044 per sqft). Paris averages $14,000 per sqm ($1,301 per sqft).
Value Markets
Berlin offers relative value at $5,000-8,000 per sqm ($465-743 per sqft). Lisbon has risen to $4,000-6,000 per sqm ($372-557 per sqft). Bangkok averages $4,500 per sqm ($418 per sqft). Buenos Aires offers prime locations for $2,500-4,000 per sqm ($232-372 per sqft). These numbers fluctuate, but the conversion skills remain constant.
Pro Tips
- 1Quick conversion: multiply sqm by 11 to get approximate sqft
- 2Always ask if listed size is gross or net area, especially in Asian markets
- 3A standard double garage is about 36 sqm (388 sqft) - use this as a reference
- 4Price per sqm allows easier comparison across international listings
Whether you are hunting for an apartment in New York or a flat in London, the ability to quickly convert between square meters and square feet is invaluable. Remember the key number: 1 sqm = 10.764 sqft. For quick estimates, multiply square meters by 11 or divide square feet by 10. More importantly, always ask sellers what exactly is included in their measurement, especially in Asia and when looking at gross versus net figures. Our square meter to square foot converter handles the math instantly, letting you focus on finding the right property rather than wrestling with numbers.
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