Square Mile Conversion Tool - Convert Square Miles to Any Unit
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Square Mile Conversion Table
This table shows common conversions from square miles to other area units.
| From Square Mile (mi²) | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mi² | Square Kilometers (km²) | 2.58999 |
| 1 mi² | Hectares (ha) | 258.999 |
| 1 mi² | Acres | 640 |
| 1 mi² | Square Meters (m²) | 2,589,988.11 |
| 1 mi² | Square Yards (yd²) | 3,097,600 |
| 1 mi² | Square Feet (ft²) | 27,878,400 |
| 1 mi² | Square Inches (in²) | 4,014,489,600 |
What is a Square Mile?
A square mile (symbol: mi² or sq mi) is an imperial and U.S. customary unit of area equal to the area of a square with sides of one mile. It is commonly used for measuring large areas of land, such as the size of cities, states, and countries.
One square mile is equivalent to 640 acres, 2.59 square kilometers, or approximately 27.88 million square feet. Our square mile conversion tool helps you easily convert between square miles and other units.
What are Square Miles Used For?
Square miles are primarily used in countries that follow the imperial or U.S. customary systems for large-scale geographical and land measurements.
Geography & Cartography
Measuring the area of countries, states, large lakes, and national parks. For example, the area of Texas is approximately 268,597 square miles.
Urban Planning
Defining city limits, zoning districts, and population density (people per square mile).
Real Estate & Land Management
Describing large tracts of land, especially in rural or undeveloped areas.
Environmental Science
Quantifying the extent of forests, wetlands, or areas affected by natural disasters like wildfires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many acres are in a square mile?
There are exactly 640 acres in one square mile. This is a fundamental relationship in the imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement.
How do I convert square miles to square kilometers?
To convert square miles to square kilometers, you multiply by a conversion factor of approximately 2.58999. For example, 10 square miles is equal to about 25.9 square kilometers. Our calculator provides precise conversions.
Is 'square mile' an SI unit?
No, the square mile is not an SI unit. The official SI unit for area is the square meter (m²). The square mile is part of the imperial and U.S. customary systems.
Why is population density measured in square miles?
Population density is often measured in people per square mile (or per square kilometer in metric countries) because it provides a standardized way to compare how crowded different regions are, regardless of their total population or area.