Is 11.6 m2 the same as 11.6 sqm?

Answer 1

Yes.

m² or metres squared is the same as square metres.

This comes about as units can be multiplied together just like numbers.

A square with sides of 1 metre has an area which is calculated by multiplying its side lengths together:

Area = 1 m × 1 m = (1 × 1)(m × m) = 1² m² = 1 m²

A square metre is shorthand for saying "a square with sides of one metre" which above is shown to have an areas of 1 metre squared.; thus they are the same,

Similarly for using square of other side lengths, examples:

• 1 cm: 1 sq cm =1 cm²
• 1 ft: 1 sq ft = 1 ft²

As the two are the same, when superscript twos (²) are not available, using the prefix of "sq" (short for square) to the unit indicates it is a unit of area.

Similarly for units of volume:

• cu m (cubic metres) and m³ (metres cubed) are the same;
• cu cm (cubic centimetres) and cm³ (centimetres cubed) are the same

cu cm are often abbreviated to cc (as in a 1600 cc car engine).