How Do I Calculate Square Feet

by

Square Footage Calculator

Feet Inches Yards Meters
Total Area:
0 sq ft
function calculateSquareFeet() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_length').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_width').value); var unit = document.getElementById('calc_unit').value; var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('calc_price').value); var resultBox = document.getElementById('sqft_result_box'); var sqftOutput = document.getElementById('sqft_output'); var costOutput = document.getElementById('cost_output'); var altUnits = document.getElementById('alt_units'); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || length <= 0 || width 0) { var totalCost = areaSqFt * price; costOutput.innerHTML = "Estimated Cost: $" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); } else { costOutput.innerHTML = ""; } // Show Alternative Units var sqMeters = areaSqFt / 10.7639; var sqYards = areaSqFt / 9; altUnits.innerHTML = "(" + sqMeters.toFixed(2) + " m² | " + sqYards.toFixed(2) + " sq yd)"; }

How Do I Calculate Square Feet? A Complete Guide

Whether you are measuring a room for new flooring, planning a garden bed, or calculating the size of a home you intend to buy, knowing how to calculate square footage is an essential life skill. Square footage represents the total area of a two-dimensional space expressed in square feet.

The Basic Formula for Square Feet

For standard rectangular or square spaces, the formula is straightforward:

Length (ft) × Width (ft) = Square Footage (sq ft)

Step-by-Step Measurement Guide

  1. Measure the Length: Use a tape measure to determine the longest side of the area in feet.
  2. Measure the Width: Measure the shorter side of the area in feet.
  3. Multiply: Multiply the two numbers together to get the total area.

What if my measurements are in inches?

If you measured in inches, you have two options:

  • Option A: Convert inches to feet first by dividing each measurement by 12 (e.g., 18 inches = 1.5 feet).
  • Option B: Multiply the inches together to get square inches, then divide the total by 144 to get square feet.

Calculating Irregular Shapes

Not every room is a perfect rectangle. Here is how to handle different layouts:

Shape Formula
L-Shaped Room Split into two rectangles, calculate each, then add together.
Triangle (Base × Height) / 2
Circle 3.14159 × Radius²

Practical Example

Imagine you have a living room that is 15 feet long and 12 feet wide. To find the square footage for new carpet:

15 ft × 12 ft = 180 sq ft.

If the carpet costs $4.00 per square foot, your total cost would be 180 × $4.00 = $720.00.

Tips for Accuracy

  • Round up: When buying materials like tile or hardwood, it is standard practice to add 10% to your total square footage to account for waste and cuts.
  • Measure twice: Small errors in length or width can lead to significant discrepancies in total area, especially in large spaces.
  • Clear the area: For the most accurate measurement, measure along the floorboards rather than across the middle of the room where furniture might be in the way.

Leave a Comment