Convert northkorean pyong to square foot easily.

Ever wondered how big a 100-pyong apartment in Pyongyang really is? If you’ve ever browsed North Korean real estate listings or studied East Asian land records, you’ve likely encountered the pyong. This traditional unit can leave outsiders scratching their heads, especially when comparing it to imperial units like the square foot. But fear not. By the end of this article, you’ll be converting pyong to square feet faster than a K-pop dance routine.

Unit definitions

What is a pyong (py)?

The pyong is a unit of area primarily used in Korea, both North and South. One pyong equals roughly 3.3058 square meters or 35.583 square feet. It’s deeply rooted in local culture, often used to measure residential and agricultural land. Symbol: py. Common uses: Real estate, flooring, textile measurements. Definition: Originating from the Japanese jo during Korea’s occupation period, it was later adapted to metric standards.

What is a square foot (sq ft)?

A square foot is an imperial unit representing a square with 1-foot sides (0.3048 meters per side). Widely used in the United States, Canada, and the UK, it’s a staple for measuring apartments, offices, and construction materials. Symbol: sq ft. Common uses: Property listings, interior design, landscaping. Definition: 1 sq ft = 0.092903 square meters.

Conversion formula

To convert pyong to square feet:
Square feet = Pyong × 35.583
For reverse conversions:
Pyong = Square feet ÷ 35.583

Example calculations

1. Converting 2.5 pyong to square feet:
   2.5 py × 35.583 = 88.9575 sq ft
   Rounded to four decimals: 88.9575
2. Converting 500 square feet to pyong:
   500 sq ft ÷ 35.583 ≈ 14.0587 py
   Rounded to four decimals: 14.0587

Conversion tables

Pyong to square feet

Square feet to pyong

From occupation to real estate, the story of the pyong

The pyong’s history is a tale of cultural adaptation. During Japan’s occupation of Korea (1910–1945), the jo—a unit equal to 1.818 meters—was widely used. Post-liberation, Korean authorities redefined the pyong to align with the metric system, setting it at 3.3058 square meters. This shift allowed for smoother international trade while preserving a cultural touchstone. Today, North Korean state media often references pyong in housing reports, emphasizing its role in national development. Meanwhile, the square foot persists in anglophone countries partly due to the high cost of switching measurement systems, a benifit of historical inertia.

Interesting facts

1. A typical Pyongyang apartment ranges from 50 to 150 pyong (1,779–5,337 sq ft).
2. South Korea uses pyong alongside square meters in real estate, creating bilingual property ads.
3. The square foot is legally defined in the US via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.
4. North Korea’s Ryugyong Hotel covers approximately 330,000 pyong (11.74 million sq ft).
5. Carpet and flooring materials are often priced per square foot in the US but per pyong in Korea.

FAQ