Convert Square Rod (rod²) to Square Foot (ft²) instantly.
About these units
Square Rod (rod²)
A square rod, also known as a perch or pole in some traditions, equals the area of a square one rod on each side (1 rod = 16.5 feet). This results in 272.25 square feet. Square rods were widely used in medieval English farming and early American surveying to measure garden plots, small fields, and building sites. Because land taxes were often assessed per rod, the unit became a practical economic tool as well. Though no longer widely used, the square rod appears in historical deeds and archival surveys, making it critical for land historians and legal property research.
Square Foot (ft²)
A square foot is the area of a square one foot on each side. It is widely used in the United States, the UK (historically), Canada (in real estate), and other regions where imperial units remain culturally influential. Square feet dominate property listings, architectural blueprints, and interior design specifications in the US. The measurement provides an intuitive scale for rooms and buildings, fitting well with common human-scaled dimensions. Although metrication has reduced its use worldwide, the square foot remains deeply embedded in construction codes, real estate markets, and consumer expectations in countries that continue to rely on imperial or hybrid systems. Its survival highlights the cultural persistence of traditional measurement systems despite global standardization.