
cm² to dm² Conversion Calculator
Click on the following link if you want to convert square decimeters to square centimeters – dm² to cm²
History
The centimeter and decimeter both come from the metric system, which is based on powers of ten.
A centimeter is one-hundredth of a meter, and a decimeter is one-tenth. When converting areas, both sides of the unit are squared, giving:
1 dm² = 100 cm²
So, to go from cm² to dm², we divide by 100.
Common Usage
- Square centimeters (cm²) are used in school geometry, packaging, and design.
- Square decimeters (dm²) are used in interior design, tile calculations, and printing.
For example, a tile of 400 cm² has an area of 4 dm².
Conversion Formula
To convert square centimeters to square decimeters:
dm² = cm² ÷ 100
Example:
Convert 500 cm² to dm².
500 ÷ 100 = 5 dm²
So, 500 square centimeters equal 5 square decimeters.
Conversion Table
| Square Centimeters (cm²) | Square Decimeters (dm²) |
|---|---|
| 10 cm² | 0.1 dm² |
| 50 cm² | 0.5 dm² |
| 100 cm² | 1 dm² |
| 200 cm² | 2 dm² |
| 500 cm² | 5 dm² |
| 1,000 cm² | 10 dm² |
| 2,000 cm² | 20 dm² |
| 5,000 cm² | 50 dm² |
| 10,000 cm² | 100 dm² |
| 20,000 cm² | 200 dm² |
Interesting Facts
- 1 dm² is equal to the area of a square measuring 10 cm per side.
- The decimeter was originally meant to represent convenient intermediate measures between meters and centimeters.
- A 10 × 10 cm tile equals 1 dm², which makes this conversion easy to visualize.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many square centimeters are in one square decimeter?
100 cm².
2. How do I convert cm² to dm²?
Divide by 100.
3. Which is larger, 1 dm² or 1 cm²?
1 dm², since it contains 100 cm².
4. Where is this conversion used?
In education, construction, and product design.
5. Are dm² and cm² still commonly used?
Yes, especially in Europe, where metric units dominate.



