Convert Korean pyeong (평) to square meters and square feet instantly, and see how Korean apartment sizes really compare.
Typical Korean apartment sizes
| Exclusive area (전용면적) | Exclusive area in pyeong | Usually advertised as |
|---|---|---|
| 39 m² | about 11.8 평 | about 15–17 평 |
| 49 m² | about 14.8 평 | about 19–21 평 |
| 59 m² | about 17.8 평 | about 24–25 평 |
| 74 m² | about 22.4 평 | about 29–30 평 |
| 84 m² | about 25.4 평 | about 32–34 평 |
| 114 m² | about 34.5 평 | about 43–45 평 |
1 pyeong = 400 ÷ 121 m² ≈ 3.3058 m² ≈ 35.58 sq ft. Advertised sizes use supply area (공급면적), which adds shared spaces such as hallways and stairs to the exclusive area; the ratio varies by building, so the third column is a typical range, not an exact conversion.
How to use the pyeong converter
Type a number in any box, pyeong (평), square meters (m²), or square feet (sq ft), and the other two update instantly. You can also tap one of the common sizes, such as 84 m² or 34 평, to see it converted. The result card also gives a rough sense of how big the space is.
The conversion formula
One pyeong equals exactly 400 ÷ 121 square meters, or about 3.3058 m². That gives two simple formulas:
- Pyeong to m²: multiply by 3.3058
- m² to pyeong: multiply by 0.3025, which is exactly 121 ÷ 400
Examples:
- 34 평 = 34 × 3.3058 = 112.40 m², or about 1,210 sq ft
- 84 m² = 84 × 0.3025 = 25.41 평
- 1,000 sq ft = 92.9 m² = about 28.1 평
For quick mental math, multiply pyeong by 3.3 to get square meters, or divide square meters by 3.3 to get pyeong.
What is a pyeong?
The pyeong is a traditional unit of area used in Korea. It came from the Japanese tsubo, which is the area of a square about 1.82 meters on each side, roughly the size of two tatami mats. Since 2007, Korean law has required square meters in official documents and property listings, but people still talk about homes in pyeong every day. If a friend says they live in a “30평대 apartment,” they mean a home of roughly 30 to 39 pyeong.
Exclusive area vs. supply area
This is the most confusing part of Korean apartment sizes, and it explains why an “84 m² apartment” is often called a “34-pyeong apartment” even though 84 m² is only about 25.4 pyeong.
- Exclusive area (전용면적) is the private space inside your front door: bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. This is the official size you see in listings, such as 59 m² or 84 m².
- Supply area (공급면적) adds your share of the building’s shared residential spaces, such as hallways, stairs, and elevators. Advertised pyeong numbers, such as “34평형,” are usually based on supply area.
- Contract area (계약면적) adds further shared spaces such as underground parking and management offices.
Because the shared areas vary from building to building, there is no fixed conversion between exclusive and supply area. As a rule of thumb, the supply area of a typical apartment is about 1.3 times its exclusive area. The table in the tool shows typical ranges.
Useful comparisons
- 59 m² exclusive (about 24–25평 advertised) is a common size for small families and newlyweds, usually with two or three small bedrooms.
- 84 m² exclusive (about 32–34평 advertised) is Korea’s classic family apartment, typically three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
- A typical studio or one-room (원룸) apartment is often 6 to 10 pyeong of exclusive area.
- An average new single-family home in the United States is much larger, often over 2,000 sq ft, or about 56 pyeong.
Common questions
Is pyeong the same in Korea and Japan?
Yes. Korea’s pyeong and Japan’s tsubo are the same size, about 3.3058 m².
Why do real estate listings show both m² and pyeong?
Square meters are the official legal unit, but most buyers and renters still think in pyeong, so many listings show both to avoid confusion.
How many pyeong is a 600 sq ft apartment?
600 sq ft is about 55.7 m², or about 16.9 pyeong.
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