【How-to】What is the symbol for square inches

An inch squared is a 1” x 1” square, not a linear one dimensional inch. That’s why 12 inches squared is 12 square inches, whether 6×2, 3×4, or 12×1. Taken literally, 12 inches squared would simply be a linear 144” and in no way refer to area. Then it would be written 12^2 inches, not 12”^2.