Square Kilometers to Square Miles Converter
The Square Kilometers to Square Miles Converter is a user-friendly online tool, to convert Square Kilometers to Square Miles quickly.
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Square Kilometers to Square Miles Converter
Land area measurements are important in urban planning, geography, and environmental studies. The most common units of measurement for land area include square kilometers and square miles. Conversions between these units are often necessary, especially with increasing globalization that makes certain data and measurements fit into differing regional standards. This article should provide an overview of square kilometers and square miles, point out the difference between them, explain how conversions work, and then show their application.
About Square Kilometers and Square Miles
Square Kilometers
Km² is an abbreviation for square kilometer which is a metric unit used to measure the area of large pieces of land. This means a square whose four sides are one kilometer long. The area within the rectangle has dimensions of 1 km by 1 km. Square kilometers are popular because the metric system is easy to use and is chosen as the official method in many countries.
Key facts about square kilometers:
1 kilometer = 1000 meters; or based on SI units 1 sq.Km = 1,000,000 sq. meters.
The most commonly used metric system countries include South and North America but in Europe, Asia, and most parts of the world.
It is most suitable for measuring giant objects like countries, cities, some forests, and oceans.
Square Miles
One square mile (written like mi²) is an imperial unit of area used in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is common in those countries that still use the imperial measurement system. If you hear the term square mile, it means the area measured in a square where each side is one mile long.
Key facts about square miles:
1 mi² = 27,878,400 sq. ft..
Large areas especially in the United States for state and national land surveying purposes.
Present in geographically older data and historical land surveys.
Difference between Square Kilometers and Square Miles
1 . Square Kilometers (km²) –
Square kilometers are part of the metric system and it is the form of measurement that most countries on the planet use.
Around 1 square kilometer is about equal to around 0.3861 square miles.
2 . Square Miles (mi²) –
The imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement include square miles. Usual in the United States, the United Kingdom, and some other countries that use the imperial system.
There are about 2.5899 square kilometers to one square mile.
| Feature | Square Kilometers (km²) | Square Miles (mi²) |
|---|---|---|
| System | Metric | Imperial |
| Conversion Ratio | 1 km² ≈ 0.386 mi² | 1 mi² ≈ 2.589 km² |
| Preferred Regions | Most of the world | United States, UK, and others |
| Ease of Use | Simpler in calculations | Complex due to imperial system |
| Application | Used globally for consistency | Regional use, especially in the US |
20 Square Kilometers to Square Miles conversion formula example
The conversion factor: of 1 square kilometer is approximately equal to 0.386102 square miles.
Square Miles = Square Kilometers × 0.386102
So, if you want to convert 20 square kilometers to square miles, you would use the formula like this –
Square Miles = 20 × 0.386102
Square Miles = 7.72204
So, 20 square kilometers is approximately equal to 7.72204 square miles.
To convert from square kilometers to square miles: Multiply the value in square kilometers by 0.386.
Formula:
Square Miles (mi²) = Square Kilometers (km²) × 0.386
To convert from square miles to square kilometers: Multiply the value in square miles by 2.589.
Formula:
Square Kilometers (km²) = Square Miles (mi²) × 2.589
Example 1:
Convert 10 km² to square miles.
10 × 0.386 = 3.86 mi²
Example 2:
Convert 5 mi² to square kilometers.
5 × 2.589 = 12.945 km²
A table for converting Square Kilometers to Square Miles
| Square Kilometers (Km22) | Square Miles (m2) |
|---|---|
| 1 Km2 | 0.386102 mi2 |
| 2 Km2 | 0.772204 mi2 |
| 3 Km2 | 1.158306 mi2 |
| 4 Km2 | 1.544409 mi2 |
| 5 Km2 | 1.930511 mi2 |
| 6 Km2 | 2.316613 mi2 |
| 7 Km2 | 2.702715 mi2 |
| 8 Km2 | 3.088817 mi2 |
| 9 Km2 | 3.474919 mi2 |
| 10 Km2 | 3.861022 mi2 |
| 20 Km2 | 7.722043 mi2 |
| 30 Km2 | 11.583065 mi2 |
| 40 Km2 | 15.444086 mi2 |
| 50 Km2 | 19.305108 mi2 |
| 60 Km2 | 23.166130 mi2 |
| 70 Km2 | 27.027151 mi2 |
| 80 Km2 | 30.888173 mi2 |
| 90 Km2 | 34.749194 mi2 |
| 100 Km2 | 38.610216 mi2 |
| 200 Km2 | 77.220432 mi2 |
| 300 Km2 | 115.830648 mi2 |
| 400 Km2 | 154.440863 mi2 |
| 500 Km2 | 193.051079 mi2 |
| 600 Km2 | 231.661295 mi2 |
| 700 Km2 | 270.271511 mi2 |
| 800 Km2 | 308.881727 mi2 |
| 900 Km2 | 347.491943 mi2 |
| 1,000 Km2 | 386.102159 mi2 |
References:
1 . National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2022). "NIST Guide to SI Units - Appendix B8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically."
2 . United States Geological Survey (USGS). (2022). "Unit Conversions."