How this calculator works
A square foot is twelve inches on each side, so it contains twelve rows of twelve square inches, or 144 in2. The relation is exact because the international inch is exactly 0.0254 m. A 12 by 12 inch panel is 144 in2, or 1 ft2, while a 6 by 12 inch panel is 72 in2, or 0.5 ft2. Square inches are common for small metal, glass and printed surfaces, and square feet for larger sheets.
Formula
ft2 = in2 / 144. in2 = ft2 x 144. One square inch is 6.4516 cm2, because 2.54 cm squared is 6.4516.
Worked example
144 in2 = 1 ft2. 72 in2 = 0.5 ft2. 36 in2 = 0.25 ft2. 288 in2 = 2 ft2. 1,440 in2 = 10 ft2. 1 in2 = 0.00694444 ft2 = 6.4516 cm2.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are there 144 square inches in a square foot?
One foot is twelve inches. A square foot is twelve inches by twelve inches, and twelve times twelve is 144. Length uses a factor of 12, but area uses the square of that factor.
How do I convert a rectangular panel?
Multiply its length by its width in inches to get square inches, then divide by 144 for square feet. A 24 by 36 inch panel is 864 in2, or 6 ft2.
How does this compare with square centimetres?
One square inch is exactly 6.4516 cm2, because one inch is exactly 2.54 cm. The table shows square centimetres for small hardware and imported product specifications.
Is a square inch the same as an inch?
No. An inch measures length and a square inch measures area. A square inch is a square one inch on each side, and it is much smaller than a square foot.