Convert Square Centimeter (cm²) to Square Inch (in²) instantly.
About these units
Square Centimeter (cm²)
A square centimeter is the area of a square 1 cm per side. It is widely used in medicine, biology, and materials science because it provides a practical scale for human-sized and laboratory-sized areas. Dermatologists measure wound sizes in cm², biologists quantify cell culture plates in cm², and materials engineers specify surface treatments, coatings, and cross-sections using this unit. The cm² offers an intuitive middle ground between mm² (too small for many biological phenomena) and m² (too large for typical laboratory work), making it a universal unit in the sciences.
Square Inch (in²)
A square inch represents the area of a one-inch by one-inch square. It is indispensable in engineering, manufacturing, machine design, and consumer product specifications. Mechanical components, gasket areas, electronic device screens, and pipe cross-sections are often measured in square inches. Because imperial units are deeply rooted in American manufacturing, the square inch enables precise communication among engineers and technicians. The unit remains important in pressure measurement as well—psi (pounds per square inch) combines force and area into one of the most widely recognized engineering units worldwide.