📐 Square Footage Calculator
Calculate area in square feet for rooms, flooring, and construction
Enter dimensions to calculate square footage
Why Use Our Square Footage Calculator?
🎯 Multiple Shapes
Calculate square footage for rectangles, circles, triangles, and complex room shapes.
⚡ Instant Results
Real-time calculations with multiple unit conversions displayed simultaneously.
📏 Flexible Units
Enter measurements in feet, meters, inches, yards, or centimeters. Convert automatically.
🏠 Home Projects
Perfect for flooring, painting, tiling, carpeting, and all home improvement projects.
📱 Mobile Friendly
Use on-site with your phone or tablet. Perfect for contractors and DIYers.
💯 Always Free
No sign-up, unlimited calculations. Save time and money on your projects.
How to Use the Square Footage Calculator
- Select Room Shape: Choose rectangle (most common), circle, or triangle based on your space’s actual shape.
- Choose Unit: Select your preferred measurement unit – feet, meters, inches, yards, or centimeters.
- Enter Dimensions: Input length and width for rectangles, radius/diameter for circles, or base and height for triangles.
- View Results: Instantly see square footage plus conversions to square meters, square yards, and acres.
- Calculate Multiple Rooms: Repeat for each room, then add totals together for whole house area.
- Plan Materials: Use square footage to determine flooring, paint, or tile quantities needed.
Understanding Square Footage
Square footage (sq ft or ft²) measures the area of a two-dimensional space. It’s calculated by multiplying length × width for rectangles, and is the standard measurement for real estate, construction, and home improvement projects in the United States.
Basic Area Formulas
- Rectangle: Area = Length × Width
- Square: Area = Side × Side (or Side²)
- Circle: Area = π × Radius² (3.14159 × r²)
- Triangle: Area = (Base × Height) ÷ 2
Unit Conversions
Understanding area unit relationships:
- 1 square foot = 144 square inches
- 1 square yard = 9 square feet
- 1 square meter = 10.764 square feet
- 1 acre = 43,560 square feet
Complex Room Calculations
For irregular shapes:
- Divide the space into rectangles, triangles, or circles
- Calculate square footage for each section separately
- Add all sections together for total square footage
- Subtract areas for permanent fixtures (cabinets, fireplaces)
Common Square Footage Examples
| Room Type | Typical Dimensions | Square Footage | Square Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bedroom | 10′ × 10′ | 100 sq ft | 9.3 m² |
| Master Bedroom | 14′ × 16′ | 224 sq ft | 20.8 m² |
| Living Room | 16′ × 20′ | 320 sq ft | 29.7 m² |
| Kitchen | 12′ × 15′ | 180 sq ft | 16.7 m² |
| Bathroom | 8′ × 10′ | 80 sq ft | 7.4 m² |
| Two-Car Garage | 20′ × 20′ | 400 sq ft | 37.2 m² |
| Studio Apartment | 20′ × 25′ | 500 sq ft | 46.5 m² |
Benefits of Using a Square Footage Calculator
🏠 Accurate Material Estimates
Calculate exact flooring, tile, carpet, or paint quantities needed, reducing waste and saving money.
💰 Budget Planning
Get accurate quotes from contractors by providing precise square footage measurements.
🏘️ Real Estate
Verify listing square footage, compare properties accurately, and assess price per square foot.
🎨 Design Planning
Plan furniture layout, determine if pieces will fit, and visualize space utilization.
❄️ HVAC Sizing
Calculate correct heating and cooling capacity needed based on total square footage.
📊 Property Value
Calculate price per square foot to compare property values and assess fair market prices.
Practical Applications
🛠️ Flooring Installation
Calculate hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpet needed. Add 10% for waste and cuts. Multiply sq ft by price per square foot for total cost.
🎨 Painting Projects
Determine paint quantity needed (1 gallon covers ~350-400 sq ft). Calculate wall square footage: (Perimeter × Wall Height) – Doors/Windows.
🏡 Home Buying/Selling
Verify advertised square footage, calculate price per sq ft ($300/sq ft in one area vs $250/sq ft in another), compare property values.
🔧 HVAC & Insulation
Size air conditioning (1 ton per 500-600 sq ft), determine insulation needs, calculate ventilation requirements based on area.
📐 Landscaping
Calculate sod, mulch, or gravel needed for outdoor areas. Determine irrigation coverage and lawn treatment quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I measure a room for square footage?
A: Measure length and width at the longest points. For rectangles, multiply length × width. For complex shapes, divide into rectangles and add them together. Always round up to nearest inch.
Q: Do I include closets in square footage?
A: Yes! For real estate, finished areas including closets, hallways, and built-in storage count toward total square footage. Unfinished basements and garages typically don’t count.
Q: How much extra flooring should I buy?
A: Add 10-15% for waste, cuts, and future repairs. Complex room layouts with many corners require more waste allowance. For diagonal installations, add 15-20%.
Q: What’s the difference between square feet and square yards?
A: One square yard equals 9 square feet (3 ft × 3 ft). Carpet is often priced by square yard, while most other materials use square feet. To convert: divide sq ft by 9 for sq yards.
Q: How do I calculate square footage for a multi-level home?
A: Calculate each level separately and add together. Only include finished, livable space. Exclude garages, unfinished basements, and open porches unless specifically requested.
Q: Can I use this calculator for land area?
A: Yes! For rectangular land parcels, measure in feet and calculate normally. For large areas, divide square feet by 43,560 to convert to acres. Our calculator shows this conversion automatically.
Q: How accurate do measurements need to be?
A: For material estimates, measure to the nearest inch. For real estate valuations and official records, professional measurements to 1/4 inch accuracy are recommended.
Related Construction Tools
Professional Tips
Measure Twice: Always double-check measurements before ordering materials. Errors can cost hundreds in returns and delays.
Account for Waste: Different materials have different waste factors. Tile needs more (15-20%) than carpet (10%).
Draw a Diagram: Sketch your space and label all measurements. This helps visualize complex areas and prevents errors.
Consider Direction: Flooring installed diagonally uses more material. Plan installation direction before calculating.
Conclusion
Our Square Footage Calculator is an indispensable tool for homeowners, contractors, real estate professionals, and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re planning a renovation, buying a home, or installing new flooring, accurate square footage calculations ensure proper material estimates and budget planning.
Understanding your space’s dimensions helps make informed decisions about purchases, projects, and property value. With support for multiple shapes and units, this calculator handles any measuring challenge you encounter.
📐 Calculate square footage now – free, accurate, and perfect for any home or construction project!