1. What is Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is a key urban planning metric that represents the relationship between the total building floor area and the size of the lot/parcel on which the building stands. It's used to control building density and regulate urban development.

2. How Is FAR Calculated?

The calculator uses the simple FAR formula:

Where:

• Total Floor Area — Sum of all floor areas in the building (sq ft)
• Lot Area — Total area of the parcel/plot (sq ft)

Explanation: FAR is dimensionless (unitless) as it's a ratio of two area measurements. A FAR of 1.0 means the total floor area equals the lot area, while FAR 2.0 means total floor area is twice the lot area (could be a 2-story building covering the entire lot, or a taller building covering less ground).

3. Importance of FAR Calculation

Details: FAR is crucial for urban planning as it determines building density, affects traffic patterns, influences infrastructure needs, and impacts neighborhood character. Municipalities use FAR limits to control development intensity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both total floor area and lot area in the same units (typically square feet). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator automatically computes the ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical FAR value?
A: FAR values vary by zoning: 0.5-1.0 for single-family areas, 1.0-3.0 for low-rise commercial, and 10+ for dense urban high-rises.

Q2: Does FAR include underground space?
A: Typically no - most jurisdictions exclude basements and underground parking from FAR calculations.

Q3: How does FAR differ from building coverage?
A: Building coverage is the footprint percentage, while FAR considers total floor area across all floors.

Q4: Can FAR exceed zoning limits?
A: Generally no, though some cities allow bonuses for public amenities or affordable housing.

Q5: How is FAR enforced?
A: Through building permits - architects must demonstrate compliance with local zoning FAR limits.