The size and ability of a target to reflect radar energy can be summarized into a single term, σ, known as the radar cross-section, which has units of m². This unit shows, that the radar cross section is an area. If absolutely all of the incident radar energy on the target were reflected equally in all directions, then the radar cross section would be equal to the target's cross-sectional area as seen by the transmitter. In practice, some energy is absorbed and the reflected energy is not distributed equally in all directions. Therefore, the radar cross-section is quite difficult to estimate and is normally determined by measurement.