How many square feet are in one square metre: five key points in 30 seconds
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- 1 square metre = 10.7639 square feet: Conversely, 1 square foot = 0.0929 square metres (calculated using the international standard of 1 foot = 0.3048 metres).
- Mental calculation: multiply by 10.76: Square metres multiplied by 10.76 is approximately equal to square feet; the common “multiply by 11” method overestimates by about 2%.
- New residential properties must use saleable area: The Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance, effective from 29 April 2013, requires new residential properties to be advertised with saleable area and saleable price per square foot.
- Saleable area excludes window sills: Saleable area includes balconies, service areas and terraces, but window sills, platforms, gardens, car carpark and other specified items are listed separately.
- Formulae for converting price per square foot: Saleable price per square foot = gross price per square foot ÷ saleable area ratio; price per square metre = price per square foot × 10.76.
Note: Area conversions are calculated using international standard units; the area of individual properties should be verified against the sales brochure, sale and purchase agreement, and Land Registry records.
One square metre equals 10.7639 square feet, and one square foot equals 0.0929 square metres. In Hong Kong, property viewings, comparison of price per square foot, and even furniture sizing often require conversion between square metres and square feet. This article summarises conversion formulas, a reference table for 1 to 120 square metres, conversion of mainland China’s “one square”, length conversions between metres and feet/inches, the difference between saleable area (SFA) and gross floor area, usable area ratio, and price-per-square-foot calculation methods, and includes a square-metre/square-foot converter.
How many square feet is one square metre? Conversion formula
One square metre equals 10.7639 square feet, and one square foot equals 0.0929 square metres — calculated using the international standard of 1 foot = 0.3048 metres.
- Square metres → square feet: square metres × 10.7639 (for mental calculation, multiply by 10.76)
- Square feet → square metres: square feet × 0.0929 (or divide by 10.76)
- Common “multiply by 11”: used for mental calculation but overestimates by about 2%; for example, 60 square metres multiplied by 11 gives 660 square feet, whereas the accurate figure is approximately 646 square feet
- Tsubo: 1 tsubo = 3.3058 square metres, approximately 35.58 square feet (commonly used in Taiwan and Japan)
X square metres equals how many square feet? Common area reference table
| equal to per square foot | |
|---|---|
| 1 square metre | 10.76 feet |
| 2 square metres | 21.53 sq ft |
| 3 square metres | 32.29 sq ft |
| 4 square metres | 43.06 sq ft |
| 5 square metres | 53.82 sq ft |
| 6 square metres | 64.58 sq ft |
| 7 square metres | 75.35 sq ft |
| 8 square metres | 86.11 sq ft |
| 9 square metres | 96.88 sq ft |
| 10 square metres | 107.64 sq ft |
| 12 square metres | 129.17 sq ft |
| 14 square metres | 150.69 sq ft |
| 15 square metres | 161.46 sq ft |
| 20 square metres | 215.28 sq ft |
| 25 square metres | 269.10 sq ft |
| 30 square metres | 322.92 sq ft |
| 35 square metres | 376.74 sq ft |
| 40 square metres | 430.56 sq ft |
| 50 square metres | 538.20 sq ft |
| 60 square metres | 645.83 sq ft |
| 80 square metres | 861.11 sq ft |
| 100 square metres | 1,076.39 sq ft |
| 120 square metres | 1,291.67 sq ft |
How many square metres is one square foot? Reference table
| equals square metres | |
|---|---|
| 100 square feet | 9.29 square metres |
| 200 square feet | 18.58 square metres |
| 300 square feet | 27.87 square metres |
| 400 square feet | 37.16 square metres |
| 500 square feet | 46.45 square metres |
| 600 square feet | 55.74 square metres |
| 700 square feet | 65.03 square metres |
| 800 square feet | 74.32 square metres |
| 1,000 square feet | 92.90 square metres |
How many square feet is mainland China’s “one square”?
Mainland China’s “one square” or “one pingmi” refers to 1 square metre, approximately equal to 10.76 square feet in Hong Kong. Mainland residential developments are generally priced based on gross floor area, whereas Hong Kong new residential properties must be priced based on saleable area (SFA). When comparing price per square metre or price per square foot, the area basis must first be standardised.
Also note the usage of “chi”: In Hong Kong, “how many chi” in spoken language refers to feet (ft); mainland China’s traditional “shi chi” differs — 1 shi chi = 1/3 metre, and 1 square metre = 9 square shi chi. When encountering “square chi”, confirm whether it refers to feet or shi chi.
To understand how large 300 square feet actually is and how it can be partitioned, refer to How big is 300 square feet? Square-metre conversion, layout illustrations and viewing-size guide.
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What is the difference between saleable area (SFA) and gross floor area?
Saleable area (SFA) is the residential area defined under Section 8 of the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance, including balconies, service areas and terraces; gross floor area adds, on top of SFA, proportionally allocated common areas such as lobbies, corridors and clubhouses, typically resulting in a difference of around two to three tenths between the two.
| saleable area (SFA) | gross floor area | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Section 8 of the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance | There is no uniform statutory definition. |
| Measurement scope | Measured to the outer perimeter of external walls; shared walls measured to the centre line | Saleable area (SFA) plus allocated common areas |
| including | balcony, work platform, terrace | Shared areas such as the lobby, corridors and clubhouse |
| Excluding | windowsills, platforms, gardens, car carpark, etc. | — |
| New residential properties | Must be stated in terms of saleable area (SFA) and price per square foot. | Cannot be used for pricing |
| Secondary residential property | The mainstream comparison is based on saleable area (SFA). | Information on older buildings remains common. |
The Ordinance has been in effect since 29 April 2013; for new residential developments, sales brochures, price lists and advertisements must state prices and price per square foot based on saleable area (SFA); the secondary market now also predominantly uses saleable area, although some older buildings still list only gross floor area, so buyers must confirm the measurement basis when comparing properties.
How is saleable area ratio calculated? What level is considered high?
Saleable area ratio is the percentage of saleable area relative to gross floor area, calculated as: saleable area ratio = saleable area ÷ gross floor area × 100%.
| gross floor area | saleable area (SFA) | saleable area ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat A | 700 sq ft | 560 sq ft | 80% |
| Flat B | 700 sq ft | 525 sq ft | 75% |
| Flat C | 700 sq ft | 595 sq ft | 85% |
In practice, a saleable area ratio of 80% or higher is generally regarded as relatively high. Older buildings and single-block developments without large clubhouses tend to have fewer common areas and thus higher saleable area ratios; newer developments with large clubhouses, luxurious lobbies and communal gardens involve more shared space, resulting in lower saleable area ratios. Saleable area ratio reflects only “what proportion is private space”, and cannot alone determine unit quality.
How to convert gross floor price per square foot to saleable price per square foot?
Saleable price per square foot equals gross floor price per square foot divided by saleable area ratio; using an 80% saleable area ratio, a gross floor price of HK$12,000 per square foot equates to a saleable price of HK$15,000 per square foot.
- Saleable price per square foot: total price ÷ saleable area (use consistently when comparing units)
- Converting gross floor price per square foot to saleable price per square foot: gross floor price per square foot ÷ saleable area ratio
- Price per square metre: price per square foot × 10.7639; for example, a saleable price of HK$15,000 per square foot equals approximately HK$161,459 per square metre
- Common usage: buyers from mainland China and overseas often compare prices per square metre (commonly called “pingmi jia” in mainland China), so conversion is necessary for direct comparison
| saleable area (SFA) | Property prices | saleable area (SFA) price per sq ft | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat A | 600 sq ft | HK$7.2 million | HK$12,000 |
| Flat B | 637 sq ft | HK$7.2 million | HK$11,303 |
Relying solely on total price can lead to misjudgement: both units cost HK$7.2 M, but flat B — with its larger saleable area — has a lower price per square foot and is thus better value on a per-square-foot basis. For first-time buyers with limited budgets or those comparing smaller units, even a few hundred dollars’ difference per square foot can translate into a total price difference of several hundred thousand dollars.
What pitfalls should buyers watch for when reviewing area figures? Four common misconceptions
The most frequent error when comparing area figures is directly comparing numbers measured on different bases, or treating spaces excluded from saleable area as usable space.
- Treating window sills as usable space: gross floor area for older buildings often includes large window sills; given the same gross floor area, the larger the window sill, the smaller the actual usable saleable area.
- Inconsistent gross floor area definitions: there is no uniform statutory definition of gross floor area; calculation methods may vary across developments and eras, so cross-development comparisons should use saleable area instead.
- Assuming platforms and gardens are included in saleable area: platforms, gardens and rooftops fall under “other specified items”: they have practical use but are excluded from saleable area, and their sizes must be checked separately in the sales brochure.
- Focusing only on area figures without reviewing the floor plan: columns, corridors and irregular corners all reduce actual usable space; buyers should cross-check floor plans and take physical measurements during viewings.
How many feet are in one metre? Conversions for length and bed dimensions
One metre equals 3.2808 feet (approximately 3 feet 3 inches), one foot equals 30.48 centimetres, and one inch equals 2.54 centimetres; conversions among metres, feet-inches and centimetres are frequently needed when purchasing furniture or measuring bed spaces after buying a property.
| equivalent to per square foot | approximately equal to square feet | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 metre | 3.28 sq ft | 3 feet 3.4 inches |
| 1.2 metres | 3.94 feet | 3 feet 11.2 inches |
| 1.5 metres | 4.92 sq ft | 4 feet 11.1 inches |
| 1.8 metres | 5.91 feet | 5 feet 10.9 inches |
| 2 metres | 6.56 sq ft | 6 feet 6.7 inches |
| 3 metres | 9.84 feet | 9 feet 10.1 inches |
| metric system | Imperial | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 30.48 cm | 12 inches |
| 1 inch | 2.54 centimetres | 25.4 millimetres |
| 1 metre | 100 centimetres | 3.2808 square feet |
Hong Kong commonly describes bed width in feet, whereas mainland China and some furniture stores use metres; when selecting mattresses, refer to the table below to convert metric dimensions into the naming conventions commonly used in Hong Kong.
| Width (ft) | Width (cm) | metric bed | Generally suitable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| single bed | 3 feet | approximately 91 cm | approximately 0.9 metres | one person |
| small double bed | 4 feet | approximately 122 cm | approximately 1.2 metres | One to two people |
| standard double bed | 4.5 feet | approximately 137 cm | approximately 1.35 metres | two people |
| Queen Size | 5 feet | approximately 152 cm | about 1.5 metres | two people |
| King Size | 6 feet | approximately 183 cm | approximately 1.8 metres | Two people (spacious) |
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in one square metre? One square metre equals approximately 10.76 square feet, with the precise figure being 10.7639 square feet. To convert, multiply the number of square metres by 10.7639—for example, 50 square metres equals approximately 538 square feet.How many square metres are in one square foot? One square foot equals approximately 0.0929 square metres. Multiply the number of square feet by 0.0929—for example, 500 square feet equals approximately 46.5 square metres.How to quickly convert square metres to square feet? The fastest mental calculation method is to multiply square metres by 10.76. The commonly used “multiply by 11” method is convenient but overestimates by about 2%—for example, 60 square metres multiplied by 11 gives 660 square feet, whereas the accurate figure is approximately 646 square feet.What is the difference between saleable area and gross floor area? Saleable area and gross floor area generally differ by about two to three tenths, mainly due to shared communal areas such as lobbies, corridors and clubhouses. Newer estates with large clubhouses typically show a larger gap, while older buildings or single-block developments tend to have a smaller gap; for individual units, the sales brochure or contract documentation should be consulted.What constitutes a high saleable area ratio? A saleable area ratio of 80% or above is generally considered high. Saleable area ratio equals saleable area divided by gross floor area multiplied by 100%. However, a higher saleable area ratio does not necessarily indicate better unit quality—estates with more extensive clubhouses and communal facilities naturally have lower saleable area ratios.Are window sills included in saleable area? Window sills are not included in saleable area. Under the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance, window sills fall under “other specified items”, listed separately in sales brochures alongside platforms, gardens and car carpark; balconies, service balconies and terraces are included in saleable area.How many square feet are in one ping? One ping equals approximately 3.306 square metres, or about 35.58 square feet. Ping is a unit of area commonly used in Taiwan and Japan; Hong Kong property transactions generally use square feet or square metres.How to convert gross price per square foot to saleable price per square foot? Saleable price per square foot equals gross price per square foot divided by the saleable area ratio. For example, if the gross price per square foot is $12,000 and the saleable area ratio is 80%, the saleable price per square foot is approximately $15,000; when comparing different units, saleable price per square foot should be used consistently.How to convert price per square foot to price per square metre? Price per square metre equals price per square foot multiplied by 10.7639. For example, a saleable price per square foot of $15,000 equates to approximately $161,459 per square metre; buyers from mainland China and overseas often compare property prices using price per square metre.What is “one square” in mainland China equivalent to in Hong Kong square feet? The term “one square” in mainland China refers to one square metre, which equals approximately 10.76 square feet in Hong Kong. Mainland Chinese properties are generally priced based on gross floor area, whereas Hong Kong new-builds are priced based on saleable area; comparisons require standardising the area basis first.What is the English term for “foot”? The English term for “foot” is foot, plural feet, abbreviated as ft; square foot is square feet, written as sq ft or ft². In Hong Kong colloquial usage, “how many chi” refers to feet (imperial feet).How many feet are in one metre? One metre equals approximately 3.28 feet (3.2808 feet), or roughly 3 feet 3 inches. The conversion method is to divide the measurement in metres by 0.3048; for example, 1.5 metres is approximately 4.92 feet. How many centimetres is one foot? One foot equals 30.48 centimetres (cm), or 12 inches. For example, 10 feet equals approximately 304.8 centimetres, or about 3.05 metres. How many centimetres and millimetres is one inch? One inch equals 2.54 centimetres, or 25.4 millimetres (mm). Conversely, one metre equals approximately 39.37 inches. How many millimetres is one centimetre? How many millimetres is one metre? One centimetre (cm) equals 10 millimetres (mm). One metre equals 100 centimetres, or 1,000 millimetres. How many centimetres is six feet? Six feet equals 182.88 centimetres, or approximately 1.83 metres. Six feet is also the typical width of a King Size bed in Hong Kong. How many feet is a 1.5-metre-wide bed? A bed 1.5 metres wide is approximately 4 feet 11 inches, which corresponds to the standard 5-foot bed in Hong Kong (about 152 centimetres). A 1.2-metre bed is approximately 3 feet 11 inches, close to a 4-foot bed; a 1.8-metre bed is approximately 5 feet 11 inches, close to a 6-foot bed. How wide is a 4-foot bed? A 4-foot bed is approximately 122 centimetres wide (1 foot = 30.48 centimetres). A 4.5-foot bed is approximately 137 centimetres wide, a 5-foot bed is about 152 centimetres wide, and a 6-foot bed is about 183 centimetres wide.Summary
One square metre equals 10.7639 square feet; for mental calculation, multiply by 10.76. When comparing units, use saleable area (SFA) and saleable price per square foot consistently. When reviewing data for second-hand older buildings, first confirm whether the figures refer to saleable area or gross floor area, then convert using the saleable area ratio, and verify against the sales brochure, sale and purchase agreement, and floor plan.
Sources and useful links
- The Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance (Cap. 621) — Electronic version of Hong Kong Legislation
- Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Authority: Guide for buyers of first-hand residential properties
- Rating and Valuation Department: Statistics and area information on private residential properties
- Midland Realty: How big is 300 sq ft? Square-metre conversion, layout illustrations, and viewing-size guide
Disclaimer: The conversion figures in this article are calculated using international standard units. Examples of saleable area ratios and price per square foot are for illustration only and do not represent data for any specific estate or unit.
The area, layout and use of individual properties must be verified against the sales brochure, sale and purchase agreement, Land Registry records and Buildings Department records. The content of this article is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, valuation or investment advice. For professional advice, consult a lawyer, surveyor or other qualified professional.
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