How Do You Calculate Price per Sq Foot

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Price Per Square Foot Calculator

Quickly determine the value of real estate or renovation projects.

Calculated Price Per Sq Foot:
$0.00

Understanding How to Calculate Price Per Square Foot

Whether you are buying a home, selling a property, or planning a flooring installation, knowing the price per square foot (PSF) is the most effective way to compare value. This metric levels the playing field, allowing you to compare a 1,500 sq ft cottage with a 3,000 sq ft mansion by looking at the cost efficiency of each unit of space.

The Basic Formula

Price Per Square Foot = Total Price / Total Square Footage

Steps to Calculate Manually

  1. Determine the Total Cost: This is the listing price of the home or the total quote for your project.
  2. Determine the Total Area: Find the gross living area (GLA) of the property. Note that in real estate, this usually excludes unfinished basements or garages.
  3. Divide: Divide the cost by the square footage.

Real-World Examples

  • Real Estate Example: A house is listed for $350,000 and measures 2,000 square feet. $350,000 / 2,000 = $175.00 per square foot.
  • Flooring Project: A contractor quotes you $4,500 for a room that is 300 square feet. $4,500 / 300 = $15.00 per square foot.

Why PSF Varies in Real Estate

It is important to remember that price per square foot is influenced by several factors beyond just size:

  • Location: A 500 sq ft studio in Manhattan will have a much higher PSF than a 5,000 sq ft estate in rural Nebraska.
  • Upgrades: High-end finishes (granite, hardwood, smart home tech) increase the PSF.
  • Lot Size: If two identical homes sit on different sized lots, the home on the larger lot will usually have a higher PSF because the land value is baked into the price.
function calculatePSF() { var totalPrice = document.getElementById('totalPrice').value; var totalArea = document.getElementById('totalArea').value; var resultArea = document.getElementById('resultArea'); var psfDisplay = document.getElementById('psfDisplay'); var price = parseFloat(totalPrice); var area = parseFloat(totalArea); if (isNaN(price) || isNaN(area) || area <= 0) { alert('Please enter valid positive numbers for both price and square footage.'); resultArea.style.display = 'none'; return; } var psf = price / area; psfDisplay.innerHTML = '$' + psf.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); resultArea.style.display = 'block'; }

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