Convert japanese tatami to square foot easily.
1 tatami x 17.45 = 17.45 sq ft
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Ever tried visualizing the size of a traditional Japanese tea room in Western terms? That's where converting tatami mats to square feet becomes essential. Whether you're designing a zen-inspired space, analyzing real estate listings in Osaka, or simply satisfying cultural curiosity, this conversion bridges East and West measurement systems. Let's explore how these units coexist in modern calculations.
Unit definitions
What is a japanese tatami?
- Description: A tatami is a traditional Japanese floor mat made of rice straw, standardized as an area unit.
- Symbol: None (referred to as "tatami" or "jō" in specific contexts)
- Common uses: Measuring room sizes, tea ceremony spaces, and traditional architecture.
- Definition: 1 tatami ≈ 1.62 m² (standard size), though regional variations exist (Kyoto: 1.82 m², Tokyo: 1.54 m²).
What is a square foot (sq ft)?
- Description: A square foot measures area in imperial/US customary systems.
- Symbol: ft²
- Common uses: Real estate, construction, and interior design in Western countries.
- Definition: Area of a square with 1-foot sides (0.3048 meters per side).
Conversion formula
Tatami to square feet:
1 tatami = 1.62 m² × 10.7639 (m² to ft² multiplier) ≈ 17.45 ft²
Square feet to tatami:
1 ft² ≈ 0.0573 tatami
Example calculations
- Traditional tea room (4.5 tatami):
4.5 tatami × 17.45 = 78.53 sq ft
(A space slightly larger than a standard parking spot) - Apartment listing (200 sq ft):
200 ÷ 17.45 ≈ 11.46 tatami
(Equivalent to a small 6-mat room plus half-mat alcove)
Conversion tables
Tatami to square feet
| Tatami | Square Feet |
|---|---|
| 1 | 17.45 |
| 2 | 34.90 |
| 3 | 52.35 |
| 4 | 69.80 |
| 5 | 87.25 |
| 6 | 104.70 |
| 7 | 122.15 |
| 8 | 139.60 |
| 9 | 157.05 |
| 10 | 174.50 |
Square feet to tatami
| Square Feet | Tatami (approx) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 0.57 |
| 20 | 1.15 |
| 30 | 1.72 |
| 40 | 2.29 |
| 50 | 2.87 |
| 60 | 3.44 |
| 70 | 4.01 |
| 80 | 4.58 |
| 90 | 5.16 |
| 100 | 5.73 |
Historical background
Tatami mats emerged during Japan's Nara period (from 710-794 CE) as luxury items for nobility. By the Edo period (from 1603-1868), they became common in samurai residences. The standardization to ~1.62 m² reflects the average space needed for a seated adult – a practical approach to space planning that persists today. Interestingly, the number of tatami in a room often follows auspicious numbers from Chinese numerology, avoiding even numbers which were considered unlucky.
Interesting facts?
- Size matters: A Kyoto tatami (1.82 m²) is 12% larger than Tokyo's version – enough to noticeably affect furniture layouts.
- Martial arts connection: Judo and kendo dojo floors use tatami for shock absorption and cultural authenticity.
- Material shift: Modern tatami often replace rice straw cores with polystyrene for durability.
- Architectural harmony: Traditional rooms are designed around tatami grid layouts, avoiding partial mats.
- Environmental angle: A single tatami mat's production requires 200 kg of rice straw – equivalent to 0.1 acres of farmland.
FAQ
Traditional tatami dimensions differ slightly between regions like Kyoto and Tokyo due to historical architectural preferences. Kyoto tatami are longer and narrower compared to Tokyo's squarer mats.
Yes, though less common in urban apartments. Many homes still feature washitsu (Japanese-style rooms) with tatami, especially in tea ceremony spaces or guest rooms.
Our tool uses the standard 1.62 m² tatami size. For historical or regional variations, consult local measurements for absolute precision.
No, the calculation only considers teh flat woven surface area. Borders (heri) and thickness aren't included in measurements.
Absolutely! Use our tool to convert tatami to square meters first, then switch to acres, hectares, or any other unit needed.