Home
Back
Square Footage Formula:
| From: | To: |
Square footage is a measurement of area expressed in square feet (sq ft). It represents the two-dimensional space of a surface and is commonly used in real estate, construction, and interior design to quantify the size of rooms, houses, or land.
The basic formula for calculating square footage of a rectangular area is:
Where:
For irregular shapes: Divide the area into rectangular sections, calculate each separately, then sum the results.
Details: Accurate square footage measurements are essential for determining property values, calculating material needs for construction projects, planning space utilization, and complying with building codes.
Tips: Measure both length and width in feet, enter the values, and the calculator will compute the area. For best results, measure to the nearest inch (convert inches to decimal feet by dividing by 12).
Q1: How do you calculate square feet from inches?
A: First convert inches to feet by dividing by 12, then multiply length by width. Example: 144" × 96" = (144/12) × (96/12) = 12' × 8' = 96 sq ft.
Q2: Does square footage include wall thickness?
A: It depends on context. For interior spaces, typically measure inside walls. For exterior measurements or property size, include wall thickness.
Q3: How do you calculate square footage for a room with alcoves?
A: Measure the main rectangular area, then measure each alcove separately, and add all areas together.
Q4: What's the difference between net and gross square footage?
A: Gross includes all space (walls, mechanical areas), while net is usable space only (living areas, offices).
Q5: How accurate should square footage measurements be?
A: For real estate purposes, measurements should be within 1-2%. For construction estimates, greater precision may be needed.