How to Calculate the Area of a Square

The area of a square is one of the most straightforward calculations in geometry. Whether you're working on a school assignment, home improvement project, or just brushing up on your math skills, understanding how to calculate the area is essential—and incredibly simple once you know the formula.

What Is a Square?

A square is a special type of quadrilateral where:

• All four sides are equal in length
• All four angles are right angles (90°)

Because of this symmetry, calculating the area of a square is much easier than other shapes.

Area of a Square Formula

To calculate the area of a square, use this formula:

Area = side × side
or
Area = side²

Where:

• side is the length of one side of the square
• area is the total surface inside the square, measured in square units (e.g., cm², m², in²)

Example Calculations

Let’s go through a few different examples to see how the formula works in real life:

Example 1: Small Square

Side length = 4 inches
Area = 4 × 4 = 16 in²
The area of the square is 16 square inches.

Example 2: Large Square

Side length = 12 feet
Area = 12 × 12 = 144 ft²
The area of the square is 144 square feet.

Example 3: Metric Units

Side length = 3.5 meters
Area = 3.5 × 3.5 = 12.25 m²
The area of the square is 12.25 square meters.

Example 4: Decimal Input

Side length = 7.2 cm
Area = 7.2 × 7.2 = 51.84 cm²
The area of the square is 51.84 square centimeters.

Example 5: Very Large Area

Side length = 100 meters
Area = 100 × 100 = 10,000 m²
The area of the square is 10,000 square meters—great for estimating large plots of land!

Use Our Area of a Square Calculator

You can calculate the area instantly using our Area of a Square Calculator.

Why use it?

• Instant and error-free calculations
• Saves time
• Great for quick checks and large or decimal inputs

Tips for Using the Calculator

• Be sure your side length uses a consistent unit (e.g., all in cm or all in feet).
• The output will always be in square units (cm², m², in², etc.).
• Convert measurements beforehand if needed.

Calculating the area of a square is quick, easy, and useful in many real-world scenarios. Whether you’re working on a math project or planning a renovation, just remember the formula:

Area = side × side

Use our calculator any time to save time and ensure accuracy.