km²

What is a Square Kilometer?

Square Kilometer is an area unit used to describe surface size, land coverage or geometric sections.

Square Kilometer is an area unit used to describe surface size, land coverage or geometric sections.

The prefix kilo- (one thousand, from Greek chilioi) was part of the original French metric system of 1795; the square kilometer is the usual unit for the area of cities, regions and countries.

Measurement system: Metric, imperial and land-measurement area usage. SI equivalent: 1 km² = 1.000000e+6 m².

Square Kilometer facts

Unit name
Square Kilometer
Symbol
km²
Category
Area
Measurement system
Metric, imperial and land-measurement area usage
SI equivalent
1 km² = 1.000000e+6 m²
Common uses
Land records, floor area, geometry and engineering sections

Definition of the square kilometer

Square Kilometer is an area unit used to describe surface size, land coverage or geometric sections.

Measurement system and SI relationship

Metric, imperial and land-measurement area usage

SI equivalent: 1 km² = 1.000000e+6 m²

History of the square kilometer

The prefix kilo- (one thousand, from Greek chilioi) was part of the original French metric system of 1795; the square kilometer is the usual unit for the area of cities, regions and countries.

Where is the square kilometer used?

Land records, floor area, geometry and engineering sections

Square Kilometer conversion tools

Sources

  1. BIPM: The International System of Units (SI Brochure)
  2. NIST: Guide for the Use of the International System of Units

Other languages

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