Convert Korean pyeong to square meter effortlessly
1 py x 3.30579 = 3.30579 m²
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Ever tried understanding a Korean apartment listing? You'll see measurements like "32 py" everywhere. That's pyeong – a unit that confuses foreigners but feels like home to Koreans. Whether you're renting in Seoul or just curious about traditional measurements, converting py to m² doesn't have to make your head spin. Let's break it down together, no calculator required (though ours helps!).
Unit definitions
What is a pyeong (py)?
Description: A traditional area unit used primarily in Korea for measuring floorspace
Symbol: py
Common uses: Real estate listings, interior design, architecture
Definition: 1 py = 400/121 square meters ≈ 3.30579 m²
What is a square meter (m²)?
Description: SI unit for area measurement
Symbol: m²
Common uses: International real estate, construction, land surveys
Definition: Area of a square with 1-meter sides
Conversion formula
The magic number? 3.30579. Multiply pyeong by this value to get square meters:
m² = py × 3.30579
To go backward:
py = m² ÷ 3.30579
Example calculations
- Converting 8 py to m²:
8 × 3.30579 = 26.4463 m²
(That's roughly a studio apartment size) - Converting 25 m² to py:
25 ÷ 3.30579 ≈ 7.564 py
(Imagine a cozy one-bedroom unit)
Conversion tables
Pyeong to square meters
| Pyeong | Square Meters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.3058 |
| 5 | 16.5289 |
| 10 | 33.0579 |
| 15 | 49.5868 |
| 20 | 66.1158 |
| 25 | 82.6447 |
| 30 | 99.1737 |
Square meters to pyeong
| Square Meters | Pyeong |
|---|---|
| 10 | 3.025 |
| 20 | 6.050 |
| 30 | 9.075 |
| 40 | 12.100 |
| 50 | 15.125 |
| 60 | 18.150 |
| 70 | 21.175 |
Historical background
The pyeong's roots go back to Korea's Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Originally based on the size of an single sleeping mat, it standardized over time. Despite South Korea officially adopting the metric system in 1961, pyeong stubbornly persists – especially in real estate. It's like that vintage vinyl record you can't quit; technically outdated, but oh-so-charming.
Interesting facts
- Cultural anchor: Many Koreans instinctively know their home size in py but might struggle with m²
- Global cousins: 1 py ≈ 35.583 sq ft – useful when comparing to US measurements
- Legal quirk: Official land registries use m², but realtors advertise in py
- Design secret: Korean furniture layouts often follow py dimensions
- Historical shift: North Korea abandoned py completely in the 1960s
FAQ
Pyeong remains popular in real estate because it's deeply rooted in Korean culture. Many locals find it easier to visualize space using this traditional unit.
The standard conversion uses 1 py = 3.30579 m², which is accurate for most practical purposes. For legal documents, always verify local regulations.
Yes! Japan uses tsubo (1 tsubo ≈ 3.306 m²), which is nearly identical to pyeong. China uses ping in some regions too.
While our tool provides accurate conversions, official land measurements in Korea require certified surveyors for legal transactions.
Most urban apartments range from 15 py (49.6 m²) to 30 py (99.2 m²). Luxury units might exceed 50 py (165.3 m²).