How to calculate square miles?

To calculate the area of a structure or section of land mass in square miles, use the formula for area of the section's shape with the dimensions, such as length, width, and radius, in miles. Not all sections of land or buildings have a simple shape, in which case the section should be divided up into simple shapes as well as possible to get an exact answer or a good estimate.

The area of a simple square plot of land can be calculated by measuring one side in miles and squaring that number. Simple formulas for area for triangles, circles, rectangles, parallelograms and other shapes can also be used when appropriate to calculate area.