Length · Unit Converter

Convert Square Centimeter to Square Thou

Convert square centimeters to square thous instantly. 1 square centimeter = 155000.31000062 square thou — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Square Thou to Square Centimeter converter for the reverse conversion.

Written by Sunith Babu L, Ph.D., Lead Engineer Reviewed by Girish V Kulkarni Ph.D.
Length category 2 min read Published Last reviewed Updated

Units explained

Metric / SI

Square Centimeter

What is a square centimeter?

A square centimeter is a metric unit of area equal to 10⁻⁴ m² (1 cm × 1 cm). It is widely used in everyday measurement, lab work, and small-area applications.

Origin of the square centimeter

Derived by squaring the centimeter (1/100 of a meter). The centi- prefix comes from the Latin 'centum' (hundred).

Where it is used

Square centimeters express the cross-sectional area of pipes and cables, the surface area of small everyday objects, biological tissue samples, and many engineering quantities. The SI unit for medical/pharmaceutical dose-per-area is often expressed in cm².

When and where it was developed

Centimeter has been part of the metric system since 1795.

Imperial / US Customary

Square Thou

What is a square thou?

A square thou is an imperial unit of area equal to 6.4516×10⁻¹⁰ m², identical to the square mil. The word 'thou' is short for 'thousandth' (of an inch).

Origin of the square thou

Identical in value to the square mil; 'thou' is the British engineering term, 'mil' is the American term. Both refer to 1/1000 of an inch.

Where it is used

Square thous are used in British and Commonwealth engineering contexts where 'thou' is preferred over 'mil', particularly in mechanical engineering tolerance specifications.

When and where it was developed

Standardized via the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement.

Square Centimeter to Square Thou conversion formula

The relationship between square centimeters and square thous:

1 cm² = 155000.31000062 thou²
1 thou² = 6.4516e-6 cm²

To convert square centimeters to square thous, multiply the value in square centimeters by 155000.31000062. To reverse, multiply square thous by 6.4516e-6.

How to use this converter

Type a value into the calculator. The result in square thous updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Square Thou to Square Centimeter converter for the reverse direction.

Step-by-step: convert square centimeters to square thous

  1. Write down the value in square centimeters (cm²).
  2. Multiply that value by the factor 155000.31000062.
  3. The product is the equivalent value in square thous (thou²).
  4. To reverse, multiply the square thou value by 6.4516e-6.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Convert 1 cm² to thou²:
1 × 155000.31000062 = 155000.31000062 thou²

Example 2 — Convert 100 cm² to thou²:
100 × 155000.31000062 = 1.550003e+7 thou²

Real-world example — Mid-micron to nanometer

3 square centimeters equals 3,000 square thous — useful when relating mid-infrared wavelengths (typically quoted in microns) to nanometer-scale visible-light wavelength tables.

3 cm² × 155000.31000062 = 465000.9300018601 thou²

Real-world example — From microns to sub-micron features

One square centimeter equals one thousand square thous — the conversion semiconductor designers do constantly when comparing mask feature dimensions to actual transistor gate lengths.

1 cm² × 155000.31000062 = 155000.31000062 thou²

Real-world example — Infrared to visible-spectrum mapping

A 10-square centimeter thermal infrared wavelength corresponds to a much larger number in square thous, the unit favoured for ultraviolet and visible-light specifications.

10 cm² × 155000.31000062 = 1550003.1000062004 thou²

Square Centimeter to Square Thou conversion table

Standard reference values for converting square centimeters to square thous:

Square Centimeter [cm²]Square Thou [thou²]
0.011550.0031000062
0.115500.031000062
1155000.31000062
2310000.6200012401
3465000.9300018601
4620001.2400024801
5775001.5500031002
101550003.1000062004
203100006.2000124007
304650009.3000186011
406200012.4000248015
507750015.5000310009
1001.550003e+7
5007.750016e+7
10001.550003e+8

Frequently asked questions

How many square thous is 1 square centimeter?
1 square centimeter equals 155000.31000062 square thou.
How do I convert square centimeters to square thous?
Multiply the value in square centimeters by 155000.31000062 to get square thous.
How do I convert square thous back to square centimeters?
Multiply the value in square thous by 6.4516e-6, or use the Square Thou to Square Centimeter converter.
How many square thous is 100 square centimeters?
100 square centimeters equals 1.550003e+7 square thous, because 100 × 155000.31000062 = 1.550003e+7.

Convert Square Centimeter to other area units

Show all Square Centimeter conversions
Metric / SI (15 units)
Imperial / US Customary (15 units)
US Survey (5 units)
Indian Subcontinent (16 units)
Other Regional (10 units)
Scientific / Physics (5 units)
Historical / Pre-metric European (6 units)

Sources & references

Conversion factor (1 cm² = 155000.31000062 thou²) verified against the following authoritative sources:

Results are provided for general reference. Verify critical measurements against an authoritative standard.