Mathematics if not understood keenly can prove to be confusing at times; especially when it comes to measurements. We have been taught various methods to calculate the area or length or breadth of a place or an object using various SI and non-SI units of measurements. The length, breadth and height of any area are generally measured in inches or feet. Here we will guide on the differences between “feet” and “square feet”.
Feet vs Square Feet
The main difference between Feet and Square Feet is that “feet” is a one-dimensional unit of measurement for measuring length and “square feet” is a two-dimensional unit of measurement for measuring area of a given space. Both are non-SI units of measurements, one for length and another for the area. One-feet measures 12 inches or 0.3048 meters in length while 1 square foot corresponds to 144 square inches in the area or 0.0929 square meters.
Feet is the plural of the word “foot”, we use “feet” to determine the height or length of a given object or area and use “square feet” to calculate the area of a two-dimensional space. If we are to calculate the area of a given space, let’s say an architectural space, we will calculate its area in terms of length and breadth, length multiplied by breadth, of the square or rectangle provided.
While “feet” can only measure one aspect of an area, “square feet” calculates the area enclosed within the prescribed square or rectangle i.e. it functions in two-dimensional space while “feet” is limited to one-dimensional functioning only.
Both these terms are extensively used in architectural spaces, like calculating the area of land or an enclosure or determining the length of the roof or pillars or the structure itself. Also, know that if “feet” is considered the plural of “foot”, “square feet” can be considered the plural of “feet”.
Comparison Table Between Feet and Square Feet
| Parameters of Comparison | Feet | Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Plural of “foot”. | Plural of “feet”. |
| Dimensions | One-dimensional in nature. | Two-dimensional in nature. |
| Nature | Non-SI unit for measuring length. | Non-SI unit for measuring area. |
| Measurements | One-feet measures 12 inches or 0.3048 meters in length. | 1 square foot corresponds to 144 square inches in the area or 0.0929 square meters. |
| Definition | The height, breadth or length of any given object is measured in either inches or feet. | The area of any given space is determined by multiplying its length and breadth. |
What is Feet?
Feet (plural of which is foot) is the non-SI unit for determining the length, breadth or height of a given object or entity. This calculation is made on a one-dimensional basis considering that “feet” calculates only one aspect of measurement of the object or space provided.
We use “feet” to determine the height or length of a given object or area and use “square feet” to calculate the area of a two-dimensional space. It is the non-SI unit for measuring length. For factual knowledge, know that one-feet measures 12 inches or 0.3048 meters in length and is one-dimensional in nature.
The globally used symbol of feet is “ft.”. Also know that one feet correspond to 12 square inches or 0.3048 meters in length respectively.
What is Square Feet?
The plural of “feet” can be termed as “square feet”. Square feet is two-dimensional in nature and is the non-SI unit of calculating area of a given space, square or rectangle. If we want to calculate and find out the area of a given space, let’s assume it’s an architectural space since this is where “square feet” comes to use mostly, we will determine its area in terms of length and breadth, length multiplied by the breadth of the square or the space provided.
The area of a room is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the room in feet. For example, if the space provided is 12 feet in length and let’s say 12 feet in breadth, then the estimated area of the space provided is 12 multiplied by 12 which results in 144 square feet.
The globally used symbol of square feet is “ft^2.”. Also know that one square foot corresponds to 144 inches or 0.0929 square meters in area respectively.
Main Differences Between Feet and Square Feet
- Feet is the plural of “foot” whereas square feet is the plural of “feet”.
- Feet is one-dimensional in nature. Square feet is two-dimensional in nature.
- Feet is the non-SI unit for measuring length. Square feet is the non-SI unit for measuring area.
- One-feet measures 12 inches or 0.3048 meters in length. 1 square feet corresponds to 144 square inches in the area or 0.0929 square meters.
- The height, breadth or length of any given object is measured in either inches or feet. The area of any given space is determined by multiplying its length and breadth.
Conclusion
So now we understand the clear difference between Feet and Square Feet. While Feet (plural of which is foot) corresponds o the non-SI unit for determining the length, breadth or height of a given object or entity, square feet corresponds to calculating the area of a two dimensional space. Also note that the globally used symbol for feet is “ft.” and for square feet it is “ft^2”.
If you did not know, one-feet is equivalent to 12 inches or 0.3048 meters in length, while one square feet corresponds to 144 square inches in area or 0.0929 square meters. Other than inferring the differences in the meaning of two units of measurements, don’t forget to put the correct non-SI unit against the measurements. It is a very common mistake made by people which can undoubtedly change the entire meaning of the numbers.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=6hljDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT9&dq=Feet+and+Square+Feet&ots=DcdPn7AJHg&sig=ujbDisXygrJGS2C3K1DkxO35Ows
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119501614