3 meter square area vs 3 square meter area

A. 3-meter-square area & B. 3-square-meter area is what you are after; the hyphens bind together all the elements they connect into a single adjectival unit of meaning.

Area of 3 meters squared would not take the hyphens, because that expression is constructed in such a manner that its elements are not bound together in the same way.

A. 3 meter long square

B. 3 square meter area (fine as it is)

This would clearly differentiate between the two.

Try a square three meters to a side or a three meter by three meter square.

My impression is that the first definition may create confusion.

• A - should be, a 3 meters squared area or a 3 meter by 3 meter square area ( that is a 9 squared meters area) to avoid misunderstanding.

But, I think, example B is the best way to express the concept. square meter vs meter square