Tsubo, Tatami & Square Meter Converter
Convert between tsubo, tatami, square meters (m²), and square feet (ft²) instantly. Enter a value in any field and the other three units update automatically. Supports all four Japanese tatami sizes.
Japanese Apartment Sizes — Quick Reference
| Room Type | Typical Size (m²) | Tsubo | Tatami (Edo-ma) |
|---|
| 1R (Studio) | 20–25 m² | ~6–7.5 | ~13–16 |
| 1K | 25–30 m² | ~7.5–9 | ~16–19 |
| 1DK | 30–40 m² | ~9–12 | ~19–26 |
| 1LDK | 40–55 m² | ~12–16.5 | ~26–36 |
| 2LDK | 55–75 m² | ~16.5–22.5 | ~36–48 |
| 3LDK | 70–90 m² | ~21–27 | ~45–58 |
| 4LDK (House) | 100–130 m² | ~30–39 | ~65–84 |
Understanding Tsubo, Tatami & Square Meters
Japan uses three different area units in everyday life: tsubo, tatami, and square meters. Tsubo (坪) is a traditional unit used primarily for land and building area — 1 tsubo equals approximately 3.31 m². Tatami (畳) measures room size based on the standard tatami mat; a "6-tatami room" or "8-tatami living room" is how Japanese people commonly describe interior spaces. Square meters (m²) is the international standard used in official documents such as property registration and building permits.
An important nuance is that tatami sizes vary significantly by region. The Edo-ma (Kanto/Tokyo) standard at 1.548 m² is the most common in eastern Japan, while the Kyo-ma (Kansai/Kyoto) standard at 1.824 m² is used in western Japan. This means a "6-tatami room" in Kyoto is about 1.66 m² larger than the same label in Tokyo. Public housing (danchi) uses even smaller mats at 1.445 m². When apartment hunting in Japan, always verify the actual square meter measurement rather than relying solely on the tatami count.
For Foreigners — Navigating Japanese Real Estate Units
If you are coming from the US or UK, you are likely familiar with square feet rather than square meters, tsubo, or tatami. Japanese real estate websites almost always list room sizes in tatami or square meters, which can make it difficult to visualize how large a space actually is. This converter bridges that gap — enter a familiar square footage and see the equivalent in Japanese units, or convert a Japanese listing into square feet for easy comparison with properties back home.
Also be aware of the difference between senyuu menseki (exclusive area, the actual usable interior space) and kabushin menseki (center-of-wall area, measured from the midpoint of walls). Apartment listings in Japan often show the larger kabushin figure, so the actual room may feel slightly smaller than the listed area suggests. When comparing apartments, asking for the senyuu measurement gives a more accurate picture of livable space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square meters is 1 tsubo?
One tsubo equals approximately 3.31 square meters (exactly 400/121 m² = 3.305785... m²). Tsubo is a traditional Japanese area unit still widely used in real estate and construction. One tsubo equals two tatami mats (Edo-ma standard). Use this tool to instantly convert any tsubo value to square meters, tatami, and square feet.
How big is 1 tatami mat in square meters?
Tatami mat size varies by region in Japan. Edo-ma (Kanto/Tokyo) is approximately 1.548 m², Kyo-ma (Kansai/Kyoto) is approximately 1.824 m², Chukyo-ma is approximately 1.656 m², and Danchi-ma (public housing) is approximately 1.445 m². Japanese real estate listings typically use Edo-ma or Danchi-ma as the standard, so always verify the actual room dimensions.
How many square meters is a 30-tsubo house?
A 30-tsubo house is approximately 99.17 square meters (30 × 3.305785 = 99.17 m²). This is a common size for a single-family home in Japan. Typical Japanese houses range from 30 to 40 tsubo (approximately 99 to 132 m²). Use this converter to check any tsubo value against square meters, tatami, and square feet.
How do I convert apartment size from m² to tsubo?
To convert square meters to tsubo, multiply by 0.3025. For example, a 70 m² apartment equals approximately 21.2 tsubo. Japanese real estate listings often show area in square meters, but price per tsubo is commonly used for comparison. This tool performs the conversion instantly — just enter the m² value.
How do I convert square feet to square meters?
One square foot equals approximately 0.0929 square meters. For example, 1,000 square feet is about 92.9 m² or roughly 28.1 tsubo. Since the US and UK use square feet while Japan uses tsubo and square meters, this conversion is essential when comparing properties internationally or when foreigners search for housing in Japan.