Convert are to square meter easily.
1 a x 100 = 100 m²
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If you've ever dealt with land measurements in Europe or read older agricultural documents, you've probably encountered the term "are." This humble unit of area might seem obscure today, but it played a crucial role in shaping how we measure spaces. Let's explore how to bridge the gap between traditional and modern metrics by converting ares to square meters.
Unit definitions
What is an are (a)?
The are (pronounced like "air") is a metric unit of area equal to 100 square meters. Symbol: a. Originally designed during the French Revolution, it was used for land measurement before being largely replaced by the hectare (100 ares) in everyday use. You'll still find it in some property records and forestry reports.
What is a square meter (m²)?
The square meter serves as the SI unit for area. Symbol: m². Defined as the area of a square with 1-meter sides, it's used globally for real estate, construction, and interior design. From apartment sizes to office floor plans, this unit dominates modern spatial measurements.
Conversion formula
The conversion couldn't be simpler:
1 are = 100 square meters
Multiply ares by 100 to get square meters. For reverse conversions, divide square meters by 100.
Example calculations
- Converting 3.5 ares to square meters:
3.5 a × 100 = 350 m² - Converting 850 m² to ares:
850 m² ÷ 100 = 8.5 a
Conversion tables
Are to square meter
| Are | Square Meters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 200 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1,000 |
| 20 | 2,000 |
| 50 | 5,000 |
| 100 | 10,000 |
Square meter to are
| Square Meters | Are |
|---|---|
| 100 | 1 |
| 200 | 2 |
| 500 | 5 |
| 1,000 | 10 |
| 2,500 | 25 |
| 5,000 | 50 |
| 10,000 | 100 |
From revolutionary France to modern fields
The are's story begins in 1795 France, when the revolutionary government sought to standardize measurements. As part of the new metric system, the are was defined as 100 square meters – a decimal-friendly unit perfect for the era's scientific aspirations. Farmers initially resisted, clinging to traditional measures like the acre, but the system gradually took root.
By the late 19th century, the are faced competition from its own derivative. The hectare (100 ares) proved more practical for large agricultural surveys, leading many countries to phase out the are in official statistics. However, it found niche benifit in urban planning where smaller parcels needed precise measurement without decimal points.
Interesting facts
- The word "are" comes from the Latin "area" meaning vacant piece of ground.
- Norway still uses ares for property tax calculations on small land parcels.
- 1 are equals approximately 119.6 square yards for imperial system users.
- The are was part of the original 1795 metric system, predating the kilogram.
- In some Alpine regions, farmers still measure pasture sizes in ares for historical consistency.
FAQ
The hectare (100 ares) became more practical for large land measurements, making the are less popular except in specific contexts like agriculture.
A football field is much larger (about 7,140 m²), but 1 are equals 100 m², roughly the size of a small urban parking space.
Yes, divide square meters by 100. For example, 500 m² equals 5 ares.
It's accepted for use with SI units but not an official SI unit itself.
Some European countries use it for land registry documents and agricultural planning.